Seeing Hasina swinging her mace at the creature Francis tries to move around it to provide distraction or flanking for Elliander.
She quickly darts around the party and slides into the gap between Sefanit and Francis, leaning down to prod Hasina. "Please work!"
Without Elliander holding Biter, the ancient sword again takes on its appearance of a dull, old sword lying there on the floor. Still, the duskblade can sense both its gloat and anger of being left out of this fight now. Its connection is enough to distract him and makes him swing the heavy flail without the right balance to hit his opponent the next attempt. He is glad he has the other allies helping him out, as he desperately tries to figure out how to best defeat the black flying creature in front of him. The healing he receives gives him some respite. He tries to focus and swings the flail again.
Adamantium Heavy flail+1 Melee Attack
/ 19-20/×2
He's there, in the square just north of Hasina. Don't you have another flask of Alchemist's Fire, Francis? Or did I make a mistake looking at your inventory? Also, don't forget folks that if you're feeling useless in combat, you can always make an attack vs AC 10 to 'aid another' to give Elliander or Hasina a +2 to their attack roll!
Francis sees that the fire hurts the monster, and even if it hurts the others a little it is still a slight chance.... He rips the last flask out of his belt pouch and flings it at the creature.
Nice throw!! Roll that crit confirmation Francis! :)
Sefanit takes a flask of alchemists fire from her bandolier and also throws it at the vanth.
Wealday, the 28th day of Gozran, 4714 AR
Weather is clear and very warm, with light winds coming from the north.
Second Hour after Sunrise
----------------------------------------------
Though Elliander and Hasina both miss with their attacks, Francis pulls another alchemist’s fire flask and hurls it at the robed creature, and his effort is quickly mimicked by Sefanit as Emilia uses the curative wand to further heal Hasina. The vanth continues to burn (6 HP total) somewhat (though Elliander and Hasina are both burned as well for 2 HP each) as it swings the scythe again at the duskblade, this time connecting solidly with both hits (15 damage), though in its weakened state the blows don’t do as much damage as they otherwise might have.
= No Crit!
vs Elliander’s AC = Hit!
vs Elliander’s AC = Hit!
Elliander 21/41 [Blessed (+1 to attack rolls, saves vs fear); 10 HP (of 10) absorbed by Armor Crystal]; Magic Weapon (+1 Flail)
Ajin Ra Baqa - Wounded (47 damage) [Flying 5' above the ground]
Sefanit - 36/36 [Blessed (+1 to attack rolls, saves vs fear); +4 to AC for 1 hour (Mage Armor wand)]
Emilia 34/34 [Blessed (+1 to attack rolls, saves vs fear)]
Hasina 10/42 [Prone; Blessed (+1 to attack rolls, saves vs fear); Bull’s Strength (+4 to STR); Shaken (-2 to attack rolls, saves, skill/ability checks)]
Francis 9/31 [Blessed (+1 to attack rolls, saves vs fear)]
Elliander tries to avoid the fiery liquid splashing his foe, but some of it hits him too. It stings and burns, but fortunately his clothes do not catch fire. His opponent does not seem to bother much about putting out the fire burning its wings though, and the duskblade wonders if it really uses them to fly or just has the ability to hover anyway.
Elliander knows he can’t keep up this much longer if he keeps missing and concentrates once more to hit the dark beast.
Adamantium Heavy flail+1 Melee Attack
/ 19-20/×2
"Please work!" Emilia pokes Hasina again with the legendary healing stick.
Francis sees the fire burning the creature and wishes he had more. With nothing else available Francis just tries to distract the beast and possibly help Elliander in his attacks.
Sefanit takes the last flask of alchemist fire from her bandolier and tosses it.
Wealday, the 28th day of Gozran, 4714 AR
Weather is clear and very warm, with light winds coming from the north.
Second Hour after Sunrise
----------------------------------------------
Emilia heals the fallen Hasina a bit more with the wand, and Sefanit’s flask of Alchemist's Fire barely misses the cloaked Ajin as the witch is forced to adjust her aim at the last moment so as to avoid hitting Elliander. Still, a bit of the burning compound splashes onto her target (1 damage). Hasina and Francis both try to distract the vanth and give Elliander an opening, but the flail only glances off its body harmlessly. Ajin swings at Elliander, striking the warrior once with a sweep of the deadly scythe (8 damage) – though admittedly the enfeebling ray seems to have deprived the pschypomp of much of it’s strength. At least for a few moments longer...
vs AC 10 = Success!
- Strikes the square NW of the target, which takes 1 pt of splash damage
vs Elliander’s AC = Hit!
vs Elliander’s AC = Miss!
Elliander 13/41 [Blessed (+1 to attack rolls, saves vs fear); 10 HP (of 10) absorbed by Armor Crystal]; Magic Weapon (+1 Flail)
Ajin Ra Baqa - Wounded (48 damage) [Flying 5' above the ground; 4 STR Drain for 1 more round]
Sefanit - 36/36 [Blessed (+1 to attack rolls, saves vs fear); +4 to AC for 1 hour (Mage Armor wand)]
Emilia 34/34 [Blessed (+1 to attack rolls, saves vs fear)]
Hasina 18/42 [Prone; Blessed (+1 to attack rolls, saves vs fear); Bull’s Strength (+4 to STR); Shaken (-2 to attack rolls, saves, skill/ability checks)]
Francis 9/31 [Blessed (+1 to attack rolls, saves vs fear)]
Elliander feels he’s running out of time and getting desperate. He swings the fail again.
Adamantium Heavy flail+1 Melee Attack
/ 19-20/×2
Hasina knowing that even if she goes for the attack knows that she can't hit without her flail.. she is going to aid another with Elliander.
Sefanit tries to do something that will draw the vanth's attention away from Elliander to aid him.
She nods at seeing the wounds on Hasina closing up, and notices Elliander looking... not so hot. She darts around Sefanit's back to get to his side, jabbing the wand into his back before speaking the magic words. "Please work!"
Hoping against the fates that have made this battle go so poorly, Francis again tries to distract the enemy to give Elliander an opening for the deadly flail.
Wealday, the 28th day of Gozran, 4714 AR
Weather is clear and very warm, with light winds coming from the north.
Second Hour after Sunrise
----------------------------------------------
Sefanit hurls her last alchemist’s fire at the vanth, scoring a hit and the flames race along its body even as the others combine their efforts to allow Elliander to strike a solid blow with the deadly admantine flail! The duskblade also feels a sharp jab in the back that results in a flood of healing that spreads thoughout his body! And none too soon, for the badly wounded Ajin slashes at Elliander, who is struck with terrible ferocity as he has no shield with which to defend himself! The heavy scythe cuts deep into his chest and he falls to the ground, bleeding badly as darkness rushes in. Turning its gaze upon Francis, the monster slashes at the cleric as well, slicing a deep wound into his side as well, dropping the priest. Again Sebti speaks words of magic and Elliander’s breath grows steady and the blood stops gushing from his wounds, though the duskblade remains unconscious where he fell, the adamantine flail lying on the ground near his outstretched hand, just within Hasina’s reach…
vs Elliander’s AC = Hit, Possible Crit!
= Critical Hit! X4!!
vs Francis’ AC = Hit!
Elliander -9/41 [Stable but unconscious; Blessed (+1 to attack rolls, saves vs fear); 10 HP (of 10) absorbed by Armor Crystal]; Magic Weapon (+1 Flail)
Ajin Ra Baqa - Wounded (60 damage) [Flying 5' above the ground; 4 STR Drain for 1 more round]
Sefanit - 36/36 [Blessed (+1 to attack rolls, saves vs fear); +4 to AC for 1 hour (Mage Armor wand)]
Emilia 34/34 [Blessed (+1 to attack rolls, saves vs fear)]
Hasina 18/42 [Prone; Blessed (+1 to attack rolls, saves vs fear); Bull’s Strength (+4 to STR); Shaken (-2 to attack rolls, saves, skill/ability checks)]
Francis -2/31 [Unconscious, Dying; Blessed (+1 to attack rolls, saves vs fear)]
She lets out a loud sigh and tosses the wand over to Sefanit, her own hand going to her blade at her hip as she darts forward around Elliander's body. "MAKE SURE HASINA DOESN'T FALL! COME ON AND TRY TO HIT ME YOU OVER GROWN CROW!"
Francis sees Eliander hit the beast again, but it proves to be insufficient as the creature strikes the man down. He sees the flail fall free of his hands and bounce over to Hasina. In his mind he sees the powerful warrior spring to her feet and strike the mightiest blow yet, aided by the blessings of Pharasma and the companions around her.... He barely feels Ajin's blade slice into his own body, but it is sufficient to blank his mind and let his limp body fall to the ground.
While his eyes go dark, the panorama within his mind is filled with glorious vision. He stands beside Hasina defeating the Vanth, with the powers of his goddess infusing his own strength as well as that of the Unbreakable warrior. In his mind the Vanth is twice as large, but it can't break the protections of his goddess and is quickly humbled and beaten by their combined might. As the battle ends he hears the quiet voice, reminding him to stay humble and to only proclaim the glory of Pharasma.
While Elliander manages to hit his opponent again, the dark creature has more hurt to deal out. His hovering foe seems to tower up and around him, like a shadow enveloping him. Sharp pain races through his body, before the blackness gets him. A mixture of anger and regret from Biter blends in just before he falls unconscious on the floor.
Hasina grabs her flail and stands, she will attack next round. She prays to her god as she get us for strength and ability to hit and stop this creature once and for all.
Sefanit throws the acid.
Oh yeah, forgot about bless. So it turns out as exactly 10.
Wealday, the 28th day of Gozran, 4714 AR
Weather is clear and very warm, with light winds coming from the north.
Second Hour after Sunrise
----------------------------------------------
Sefanit reaches for her last flask, this one filled with acid that she slings at the robed vanth. Her aim is perfect, the stuff splashing into its face and it reacts violently twisting back and forth sharply as it tries to rid itself of the burning fluid. Those nearby are burned slightly by the stuff, but its effect on Ajin more than makes up for the slight pain suffered!
Emilia scrambles around the floating psychopomp, calling out insults to distract it from Hasina and Ajin slashes at the halfling with its scythe, cutting a deep wound into her side for her efforts! The halfling’s efforts gives Hasina the chance to snatch up the adamantine flail and get to her feet, but even before she gets her proper balance the scythe flashes, cutting deep into one leg and causing her to stumble, and then the follow up blow slices into her neck! Blood sprays as Hasina falls, her life ebbing away in moments as Sebti cries out “NO!” The powerful cleric moves to the warrior’s side and casts a spell that saves Hasina’s life even as Ajin again raises its scythe to…
“Ajin! Cease!” Nakht’s powerful voice booms forth and the pschopomp hesitates, then brigs its weapon back up to the guard position. “Depart. We shall discuss your future tasks in a short time.” The creature nods once, then vanishes as it teleports away. The commander turns his gaze upon the adventurers, who are all healed to varying degrees as Sebti speaks another prayer, and those that were unconscious and on the brink of death are brought back to this world while Emelia’s wounds are healed entirely. But Hasina and Elliander in particular are still very badly wounded, while Francis still sports several nasty injuries himself. “You acquitted yourselves well, fighting together and nearly overcoming my loyal outsiders. But, as you have witnessed, they are formidable enough to rid Wati of this undead menace. You had but a small taste of their true power, for they are natural-born enemies of the undead, able to destroy them even more efficiently than they are a living foe.”
Nakht turns to Sebti and speaks to the priestess. “I will return now to my citadel, for I have plans to make in liberating the city and her citizens of the evil that has been allowed to infest it unchecked. Until now.” The big warrior gives a half-bow, then stalks out of the room, and Sebti presses her lips together tightly in barely suppressed anger before turning back to the heroes and bestowing enough healing upon those still injured to bring them back to their full health. Finally, she rises to her feet and sighs as Ptemenib approaches, his face drawn in sorrow as he speaks I am most sorry to have brought this upon you, my friends. I had thought that maybe you could assist in making Nakht see reason…” Sebit interrupts him with a sound of disgust. “He is beyond reason, if he believes those… monsters will bring peace to Wati. Our hope lies not in the outsiders that are little better than the undead they are fighting against. Our hope must instead rest in those men and women that prove themselves to be both brave and willing to assist those in need.”
The priestess turns to face the adventurers as they gather themselves together after the fierce battle. ”Will you? I fear that Nakht places in trust in dark forces that will only tear Wati apart even further. Your actions and deeds have convinced me that you are both insightful and compassionate, traits that I believe are far more important than what Nakht’s outsiders possess. My warrior priests still hold the gates of the Necropolis against the undead scourge that rages within its walls, though as you have seen a good many have leaked out into the city at large – probably through smuggler’s tunnels and the like. But I believe that somewhere in the Necropolis is the key to turning back the tide of undead. Will you seek the cause of this uprising in that fell place?” Sebti pauses, her eyes searching those of the heroes as she awaits their answer…
vs Emilia’s AC = Hit!
vs Hasina’s AC = Hit!
vs Hasina’s AC = Hit! Possible Crit!
HP healed for Hasina
HP healing for all
HP healed for Elliander
HP healed for Hasina
HP healed for Francis
Elliander is lying on the floor when he regains consciousness again. He breathes with some difficulty, having a couple of deep cuts into his chest. He realizes he is still with the team at the temple, rather than being dead. Have we won? he ask himself as he looks around. But no, the duskblade has to listen to the Nakht’s boasting over their ‘defeat’. To the Nine Hells with you too! Got two of your little pets, didn’t I?, he grits his teeth, thinking they can have it in this town without his help.
When Nakht marches out, Elliander receives more healing from the high priestess and he feels some of the sour taste in his mouth disappearing and hope returning. He gets up carefully at first to give his body and armor and quick examination, before snatching up Biter and the shield from the floor. He can feel Biter is angry and full of lust for revenge at the same time. Elliander realizes he will hear no end of this from his sword if he walks away now, and he stands a little listening to what Sebti says. He waits to see the reaction of the others, but if they seem to consider this he will nod, especially to Hasina whom he has learned to respect in the fighting. Maybe destiny is not done with him here. Biter certainly doesn’t seem to be.
They are going to need some backup though, at least to replace what was spent in this useless fight and some. Plus rest to recover spells.
Sefanit will not let Nakht leave the room without a response. She shouts at him in a fury, her tone dripping with acid.
”Stop! Now that I have seen the inner workings of a temple, I have never been prouder or more grateful to be a citizen of a nation ruled by the Laws of Mortality. This pathetic, infantile stunt of yours has only proven the lack of wisdom in bowing to the gods, for their servants here are fools who have more regard for their own prestige than they do for those among whom they live and purport to shepherd.”
”We came here offering our help, in a way that would save lives. In return, and without our consent, you rejected our argument with deadly violence. You are a leech, feeding off the hope and wealth of people and offering nothing in return except displays of self-aggrandizement. You are contemptable."
”Know this now and clearly you arrogant pig. If you let the filth you call servants loose on this city, I will kill you. If we see, or so much as hear a rumor of those things loose on the streets, sleep lightly. Look over your shoulder. Hide yourself away well. At a time and place of my choosing, I will visit and execute you in the names of those whose blood will be on your hands. I swear it will be so.”
Sefanit then turns her attention to Sebti. Her voice is calmer but not much less acidic.
”And you want our help because we know compassion. Is that because there is none to be found in you or your own church? When one of your own viciously attacks us, your face shows disapproval but you stand aside and let that absurdity continue? You stand and watch even though we have already been on the streets dispatching the undead and saving lives, even the lives of two of your own.”
”We will help the people of Wati, but not this church. Now there are terms you will have to meet. This stupidity has robbed us of a day, and tomorrow things will be worse than they are today. This church has submitted us to great pain and suffering for no sound reason except because we extended our hands to you in friendship. Your infighting has robbed us of essential resources in a fight we did not want.”
”You cannot restore our time lost. You cannot undo our suffering. But you will replace every bit of equipment we used defending ourselves against your despicable co-religionist. In fact you will do better than replace what we used. You will gives us a wand to restore ourselves against injuries from negative energy, with at minimum a number of uses equal to those used from this one to preserve ourselves against those psychopomps.” Sefanit holds up the curing wand Emilia and she were using.
”Further, we refuse the church’s oversite. We will keep our own council and make our own decisions and plans. You no longer have our trust. Finally, any needs we have for treatment of wounds or restoration of health will be given to us by the church upon request and without delay or question. These terms are not negotiable.”
Thoroughly disheartened, Francis turns to prayer after the battle. As such he barely notices Nakht's arrogant words or even his departure, until Sefanit speaks up. He understands her anger, but is worried about her demands and especially about her threats against the brother. The man had proven to be a dangerous enemy, and possibly to be somewhat unstable. Provoking such as him wasn't exactly.... wise?
When she then turns on Sebti he approaches, letting her vent but signalling the priestess to allow him to speak in answer, before her. "Sefanit. Please hold a moment to release your anger. While it is understood, such rage it is misplaced here. Remember that I am of this church. If you are breaking ties with the temple then you will be forcing my departure as well. Unless you were unaware of my status I'm not sure of your intent. And Sebti was, and is, on our side. Without the aid that she gave, certain of our number would now be in the graces of Pharasma. The contest may not have been fair, but we did almost prevail. Maybe Nakht will realize that and focus the powers of his.... creatures on the abominations within the Necropolis. If he does turn them against the city in general, the government outside of this temple will turn against him."
"What Nakht did is not the way of the Lady of Graves. She does want the undead destroyed as they are abhorrent to her. But the indiscriminate deaths of innocents is as well. This team has worked from the beginning of the lottery to these last days to find whatever is causing the uprising. We have found some clues, but not enough to stop it. I intend to continue. If I am alone in this, then I will do so until I greet Pharasma after my final falling. You are correct that we have lost a day and resources to this foolishness, but I hope it is not your will to compound that loss."
Francis doesn't dampen Sefanit's anger in the least.
"You mischaracterize what I've said. I'm not 'breaking ties' with the Pharasman Church; I've never had any ties to the Pharasman Church. I specifically said I would not accept or act under its oversight or direction. I will in no way acknowledge its authority in anything."
"You are free to do as you will. I would even accept working alongside individuals within the church that I hold respect for, such as yourself, Bal Themm, and Ptemenib because they are individually people who have proven their decency."
"That is what this is about ultimately, decency. Sebti may be 'on our side' as you say, but her actual actions were insufficient to show it. I came here because I believed meeting with the church would be productive, but it was far, far less than not productive. We did not agree to some insane contest with that idiot man's things, it was forced upon us. 'Fairness' doesn't even enter into it. Far more basic is the indecency of standing by and letting it happen at all."
"I stand by every single word I have said. My conditions will be met before I move an inch. I came to Osirion for reasons of my own and I will go back to pursuing them instead if they are not met; for the church though its actions and inactions has demonstrated it is not a friend of mine. It has not treated me decently as a friend would. I will kill Nakht if he lets his servants loose in the city. I have taken that oath and I will not retract it."
"If the indiscriminate deaths of innocents is abhorrent to Pharasma as you say Francis, why am I, the unbeliever in this room, the only one willing to actually DO something about it? Is muttering and the sad shaking of heads a sufficient response to the abhorrent in Pharasma's view?"
"...HEY! I take offence to that statement!" She removes her hand from where she was wounded by the scythe with a grumble, before looking at Sefanit. "I wanna keep people safe just as much as you do love, and I'm willing to do what it takes to meet that goal. I'm not religious, so I could less of a rat's behind about whether or not a church supports me. If they do, great, if they don't, eh whatever."
Francis listens patiently as Sefanit continues her tirade, hoping to keep her anger focused on himself. The last thing the group needed was for Nakht to actually feel threatened and perhaps call his monster servant back to finish them off!
Focusing on her words he hopes he can form an answer that she can accept. "I haven't the wisdom or omniscience of Pharasma to answer your question, but I will try. You say that Bal Themm and Ptemenib have earned your respect for their actions. Know that Sebti has done as well for us. But realize that there are powers in the city, and in the temple that influence things far out of our understanding. Sometimes the politics of men are as incomprehensible as the ways of the gods themselves."
"Think if you will about the cause of all this misery! The opening of the Necropolis to treasure seekers that somehow released the necromantic energies that raised the army of undead. That was at the direction of the rulers of Wati. If Sebti and her people hadn't done what they could to stem the tide, the gates would have been thrown wide open and all of the dead would now be running amok throughout the city. Then Nakht and his 'solution' would have been welcomed by any survivors, at least until they started killing the living along with the dead."
"Nakht is the leader of the martial branch of this church. He and his people believe martial force is the only solution to just about any problem, including non-believers such as yourself. He wants to DO something about the problem. You speak of fairness and demand compensation from Sebti, stating that while we were viciously attacked Sebti did nothing. Were you not paying attention when Ptemenib brought us here? Ptemenib brought us in as heroes for Sebti, to try and stop Nakht's crazy plans, without causing a rift that would destroy the church and any chance that the city has."
"You tried to reason with Nakht before the fight. You might as well have been reasoning with his summoned servants. He is beyond such reason. Hopefully someone among his lessers, or someone within the government of the city can hold his actions, or at least direct them within the Necropolis! He answered you right before he commanded his creatures to attack. He told you to stand aside or stand with us, and he didn't care."
"Nakht's monsters will destroy any undead that they face, and any living along with them. But they won't find the source of the disaster. That will take intelligence, and people that care about the living. That is what Sebti is asking for. That is why we are still needed. If all that was needed was the destruction of the undead, the citizens could be herded into the temple for safety and Nakht's monsters could tear the Necropolis and most of Wati apart to do it. But they wouldn't resolve the source of the problem, and stop it from starting over again once there were more corpses to re-animate. We are needed, to continue the search of the Necropolis for the cause of all this!"
Sefanit shakes her head, rejecting Francis's argument.
"And again you bring things into this that I'm not even talking about. No doubt everyone is anxious to stop the risen dead. There's no question there. But there are two potential sources of indiscriminate slaughter to consider. One is the undead from the necropolis. The other is Nakht and his minions. Who here aside from me is willing to DO something about the second? That is my question."
"The answer seems quite clear to me. Pharasma abhors the killing of innocents when there is some external culprit. Very very abhorrent in those instances. But when the culprit is nestled inside your own church, that gets awkward doesn't it? Suddenly shoulders are shrugged and eyes are averted, and abhorrent becomes 'well, something we might just have to live with'. So, Pharasma abhors innocent lives lost when those who are not her own are responsible. Tell me why I am wrong."
"You yourself have by now spoken of Nakht as 'beyond reason' and his plans as 'crazy', but nobody here except myself and perhaps Emilia will oppose him? How many lives exactly is avoiding a 'rift' in your church worth? How did it become MY responsibility to clean up the mess avoiding a 'rift' will cause when you won't excise your own rot from within? Please tell me, keeping in mind I am free from caring about your politics and your hierarchies and your 'that's just how it is' evasions."
Obviously we were brought here because we might be useful. But when supporting us when we were under mortal threat due to an ambush in the place we were asked to might have involved some risk, we were on our own. Did we receive a bit of healing? Yes we did, because we were game pieces. I came here in friendship, and my extended hand was bitten. I will not extend my hand to see if it will be bitten again."
"Now, I merely share some aims with the church. I am willing to assist if my conditions are met. In the absence of friendship or trust, contracts will have to suffice. So, how are my conditions unreasonable? Please be specific."
"Your questions are clearly stated, and valid, and I'll try to address each."
"Who here is willing to DO something about Nakht? Sebti tried. She tried to convince him that we had proven ourselves and could handle the problem of the undead in the Necropolis. He wasn't convinced and demanded the trial combat. She didn't demand that, or demand that we accept it. We accepted but failed in that combat which gave Nakht the diplomatic currency needed for him to go forward with his plans. We don't know exactly what his plans are other than to use his summoned monsters against the undead. If that is all he does and they are contained to the Necropolis, nothing needs to be done about it. If he turns them loose in the general area of Wati, then we will likely have to assist, along with Sebti and her clerics, and much of the city guard to handle that mess. At that time he will also have to face the consequences for those actions. Also, although I understand that you are not a believer, he will face judgement from Pharasma for his actions. During his life he will be stripped of his powers if his actions warrant it. And on his death he will face her directly. Her wrath can be.... far more than anyone would reasonably face."
"As to your statement of the church averting their eyes, etc.... I'm not saying that you are wrong, because you aren't wrong. But we are on tangents here. I'm just stating that there are people involved, not Gods. There are political powers and situations that have to be understood. Is Nakht right in believing that his creatures can destroy the undead more efficiently than we can? Certainly! Is he right in thinking that is the resolution to the problems facing Wati? We don't think so! Is he right in thinking that he can just summon them and kill anything that gets in his way? Of course not!"
"So we think there is something behind the raising of the undead, and that it needs to be addressed with reason, not just power. We can't prove it yet.... Nakht won't listen to anyone now that he thinks his monsters have proven him right.... He is beyond any reasoning from us, and we think that his plan is crazy. We all care about that! But until he actually does something that harms someone, or at least states that he plans to do such, what can we do? Attack him? Then we're the ones in the wrong."
"Are we game pieces? That's a philosophical debate really, but from your standpoint it certainly seems that we are, or at least were. Sebti couldn't directly confront Nakht without consequences to the church that she couldn't accept. We were hurt, but we did survive, with her help. I said it before, We accepted the challenge. You directly accepted the challenge, from Nakht, as he told you to stand aside or stand with us. If that makes us pawns, at least at that point we were willing pawns."
"Yes, we reached out our hands in friendship. And Nakht 'bit' them. He has proven himself unfriendly and untrustworthy. In that you are totally right. But he is not Sebti, or Ptemenib, and he only represents the martial arm of the church. If you want to be angry and demand reparations for his actions, then do so to him. If you want specific contracts for future actions, then keep that in mind as well. Sebti is not Nakht. She is asking for us to continue with the assistance that we have previously volunteered. She is asking that we continue trying to do the right thing and help the people of Wati. We are free to say no and leave the people to Nakht's solution."
"That's an interesting notion, I consented to a trial by combat without any awareness of my consent. In fact I was unaware until this very moment, when you told me I had consented, that I had consented. To me it seemed I acted in self-defense, which is everywhere, except within these walls apparently, not construed as consenting to bodily harm. One of those Pharasman idiosyncrasies is it? Another reason to not accept direction or oversight from this church. Who knows what I might consent to next? I certainly wouldn't!"
"I will continue to demand reparations and all my conditions from the church as a whole. I am not a member, and so I am not bound by any hypocrisy that holds Nakht as either separate from the rest of the church, this 'militant wing', or part of the church depending on which is convenient at the moment. My conditions remain unchanged."
"Please forgive my ignorance as a foreigner, but I must ask for clarification on a couple of points. Does the city of Wati have civil laws? Is Pharasma's clergy exempt from those laws?"
"The reason I ask is this: When is the last time a person tried for murder has been freed without punishment, though guilty, because Pharasma will judge him instead? My guess is never. Does Pharasman theology hold that those who are tried and executed for murders they committed will not be judged by Pharasma for them because the civil execution was quite enough? My guess is no."
"It seems to me then, that should Nakht loose his servants on the city, which we all already agree would lead to the deaths of many, loss of position and judgement by Pharasma is rather light punishment compared to that suffered by a common murderer. I am willing to accept a civil execution should that happen, but otherwise I will see that he faces both harsh punishments just as a common murderer would."
Sefanit concludes her argument with a dose of bitter sarcasm.
"I will keep in mind that if I do have to deliver justice myself, as a Pharasman he will understand that any act of self-defense on his part will be consent to a trial by combat. He will be accepting all bodily harm he suffers at my hands, for which I will then not be responsible."
"This has gone round and round long enough. Will my terms be met or not? If not, I would like to be able to pack my possessions in time to still take a boat to Sothis today."
Elliander listens to the dialogue between Sefanit and Francis. He can see both having points, but it’s not really an ideological issue for him. As long as he feels he’s not aiding and abetting the Evil of World, his drive is for knowledge, especially foreign and ancient lore. How much of this drive is his own, or how much comes from Biter, he hesitates to ponder upon even himself. What this church can offer and possible visits to the Necropolis, seem definitely more interesting to his sword, than searching through old, dusty shops and libraries. Elliander is aware that Biter strongly leads him on to be a hero rather than a scholar though. The sword seems to have and urge for tasting the blood of new types of enemies.
Getting some kind of revenge on Nakht seems enticing however, but it’s not a task he will chose to take upon alone. The group seems divided and he still waits for Hasina to state her intentions.
Wealday, the 28th day of Gozran, 4714 AR
Weather is clear and very warm, with light winds coming from the north.
Second Hour after Sunrise
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Nakht faces Sefanit, his gaze contemptuous as he gazes at the witch coolly. “If you believe yourself strong enough to make me ‘pay’ for my actions in saving Wati then by all means try your best. But I warn you now that if you were to try something that foolish, I would not hesitate to take your life rather than sparing it as I did just a few moments ago.” The warrior glances again at Sebti and sneers. “Keep your pets on a tighter leash, or my own will have them for dinner before nightfall.” Then he strides away, ignoring whatever other threats Sefanit screams at his back.
When Sefanit turns her ire toward Sebti, the priestess’ own gaze turns frosty. As Francis takes up an opposing position, and even Emelia makes a much less vehement argument, Sebit finally raises her hands and speaks in a voice that is quivering with barely-held outrage. “Ptemenib, please escort this young and foolish woman from our temple. Be certain that she is given what she has requested, if it is in your means to obtain them, but I want her out of my sight this instant. The others may stay if they wish, I would have words with them about the perils they will face if they accept my request to aid the citizens of Wati.” The priestess meets Francis’ gaze first, then turns to each of the others in turn, waiting their answer.