Urashu looks guilty as Morvan and the Imp converse. "Unfortunately, Maralictor, I have little skill in divination magic; though I'm sure the other squads probably have someone who is capable. Would you like me to find someone?"
Taking the scroll case, Morvan says, "We will have to find someone who is, Signifier Trasalor. Let us return to the Paralictor. He should have knowledge of who in camp is capable of using it. Kizziar, I will deliver your report of Signifier Caudex's actions during the battle. As a paladin, he may not take kindly to your presence."
Returning to the Paralictor's tent, Morvan will rap on the tent post and wait until he is invited in. Once done so, he will present the scroll case and say, "This appears to be the only thing he still had in his tent. I also spoke with his familiar, who reported that he was grappled by some flying creature and carried away."
The Paralictor rubs his forehead and sighs.
"Better than nothing I suppose. We'll see if we can get anything useful from it. Please be on standby. Everyone who can cast divinations will need to be on call to figure out what's going on. Hopefully some of the captives will know something," he grumbles to himself while waving you out.
Over the course of the next several days every capable spellcaster in the group is busy. Diviners attempt to determine Vespartius's location, as well as who or what is responsible for the attack. Enchanters work alongside investigators to interrogate the prisoners. Outsiders are called and bargained with for information. But ultimately, very little is discovered.
The barbarians are all Kellids from various tribes in Numeria, Ustalav, and the River Kingdoms. But even among those who's minds are still intact enough to speak, none know so much as their own name, much less who sent them or why they were attacking.
That is about all that can be discovered though, as any divinations about Numeria, the Kellids, or Vespartius inevitably fail. What few, low-ranking, outsiders that can be safely called whilst away from more secure facilities and without appropriate tools know nothing.
The Paralictor spends most of his time communicating with the heads of the Orders, trying to come to a consensus about what to do. Eventually, he summons you back to his tent once more.
"Well, this has been a f~$!fest for sure," he starts off, grumpy.
"I'm sorry, but it seems like we're not going to be able to recover your companion. We just don't have enough to go off of. Your Vicarius expresses his condolences, and bid me give you this."
He hands you a thick, sealed, envelope.
"We'll be continuing on in the morning, after we get the dead back to Citadel Dinyar for more intensive care," he says, dismissing you.
"Signifier Caudex chose his fate when he disobeyed orders and went off on his own. We shall manage without. We await your orders to move out." Morvan will take the envelope, then once he is away from those of the other Orders, he will open it and see what it says.
In the safety of your tent you open the letter, a brief spark of magic popping from the seal as your thumb touches it.
Due to your closeness with the mission, previously classified above your security clearance, and the recent capture of Signifer Caudex, I am compelled to increase your security clearance in accordance with protocol 9-11.1.
While I cannot divulge all details, even with your increased clearance, it is enough to say that any and ALL information about Zakat is hereby classified. The information Signifer Caudex knows must NOT be allowed into enemy hands. He must be recovered. Upon reaching Druma and giving your testimony, you will immediately depart and head north. Secure travel across Lake Encarthan into Ustalav. Someone will be there to meet you. Maralictor Saren will hopefully have more information by that time. From there you will infiltrate into Numeria, locate Signifer Caudex, and ensure that any information leak is COMPLETELY purged. Your contact in Ustalav will be able to provide you with more accurate information, and hopefully some additional tools to help you.
At the bottom you see an arcane mark that serves as the Vicarius's signature.
Assuming he hasn't been released from his companionship with Vespartius, Kizziar communes with Asmodeus, asking the following questions:
Is Vespartius Caudex currently alive?
Is Vespartius Caudex currently located on the Material Plane?
Was the creature which captured Vespartius during the attack on the Hellknight camp a dragon?
Do you know who orchestrated the attack on the Hellknight camp?
Morvan examines the letter, considering the instructions for a moment. Numeria...a rather inhospitable place. They would need a great deal of equipment. Hopefully this contact in Ustalav came through.
Morvan will summon the remainder of the squad to his tent - including Kizziar.
Once everyone is there, he says, "Kizziar, ensure that no one is nearby and listening to us. This is strictly for Order of the Gate business."
Remaining questions:
Were any of the barbarians who attacked our camp evil?
Were any of the barbarians who attacked our camp under the influence of an enchantment?
Kizziar nods to Morvan and carefully scans the tent and the area around it.
Perception: Your thorough scrutiny detects nothing untoward.
All clear, Kizziar telepathically informs the squad.
Morvan nods at Kizziar's sending. "We will be continuing on to Druma tomorrow. Paralictor Edikesis has informed me that they have nothing to go on for locating Signifier Caudex, and cannot arrange a rescue. Once we arrive in Druma, we will report and give our testimony as planned. Afterwards, however, we will not be engaging in exercises with the Blackjackets. We will instead be arranging passage across Lake Encarthan to Ustalav. I will explain further once we arrive in Druma."
Looking down at the letter, Morvan says, "It goes without saying that any mention of our testimony or the fact we will be going to Ustalav should stay secret. Do not mention it if you can avoid it, and if anyone is too curious, merely state that it is Order of the Gate business. Understood?"
Urashu nods. "Understood. Do we have any other information to go on? Any suspected enemies who might have staged this attack. "
"Understood." Kallant replies without indicating his disappointment in the information. He was hoping to find out something interesting.
"At this time, we have no information pertaining to the nature of those who launched the attack. Hopefully, we will find out more information from Maralictor Saren once we reach Druma, or perhaps later in our journey. Until then, rest up. I suspect we'll need it."
Understood. Can you give us any additional information as to the reason for our detour? Kizziar responds, his face impassive.
"At this time, no. I will explain more at a later time." Morvan wasn't entirely comfortable with holding back so much information, but he knew the best way to keep a secret was to tell no one about it.
Thankfully, the night passes without incident and you continue on in the morning, passing the scorched ring of earth where your enemies appeared from.
The rest of the trip passes more or less uneventfully, the only occurrence of note is when the Paralictor had to awkwardly behead a bulette that had managed to sneak into the camp and get the Paralictors leg halfway down its throat. His mood was not improved.
After another week of paranoid, cautious travel, even the most weathered, stoic Hellknight is tired and grumpy, and the sight of the welcoming delegation is very welcome indeed. The border fort where they take you is small, but, in the style of the Kalistocrats, both excessively lavish and excessively well constructed. Its outer wall is over 30 feet tall and almost that thick, constructed of dwarven tooled granite, a theme which continues throughout the entire fortress.
It doesn't take long for you to get bunked, and a quick meal in you. As the Paralictor and his squad meet with the welcoming delegation, the rest of the Hellknights take turns exploring the fort and talking with the garrisoning Blackjackets, who seem amiable enough.
While you are eating, a Hellknight you haven't seen before approaches. He is a short man, though he still wears his armor well. He has two fairly unique features however. The first is his signifer mask, which is made of hardened leather, rather than metal like every other mask you've ever seen. It has a subtle flame motif that is hard to pick out in the light, though when you see it in shadows it seems to flicker and glow like real flame. The second, and arguably more interesting feature is a large, bronze hump on his back. You eventually recognize it as a pair of folded up wings.
"Maralictor Fellis. Hellknights. Greetings. I am Maralictor Saren. The Vicarius informed me that you've been having some troubles?" he greets you, shaking your hands. He has a very firm grip for such a small man.
"Maralictor Saren, greetings. I am Maralictor Fellis. There was a small ambush as we journeyed here. We are unsure who may have been behind it, but there were a great deal of Ulfen barbarians who attacked us. One of our squad was captured in the course of the battle. It is nothing that cannot wait until our primary mission is completed."
"Hmm..." he thinks for a moment, absently tapping his knuckles.
"Well, as you say. It can wait. While you're waiting here, it would be prudent to go over your speeches for the trial. Have you all given due consideration to that?"
"We've worked on it some on our journey here, but additional preparation is never a bad thing. We can and will continue doing so up until the time has come to do so. Would you like us to go over them now, perhaps so that we can get some pointers and advice?"
"I would. Though let us converse in my quarters. I have no desire to shout above the din," he says, leading you all to his room. Though he doesn't have anything like a suite, his room is at least large enough to fit you all, even if there isn't enough seating for everyone.
Kallant positions himself with his greatsword scabbards hanging on his armor backplate to a wall. Quiet and actively listening per usual.
Urashu will stand, mentally reviewing the notes about The encounter with Zakat.
Morvan enters the suite, and takes a position towards the center of the room. As the commander, it was his duty to make the first testimony and report, in the hopes that one of those more skilled with words would come later and their methods be remembered better. He nods to Maralictor Saren when he is ready to proceed.
Melii stands with her fellow Hellknights, listening for now.
Kizziar perches on a lighting fixture and watches the others with a vaguely bored expression.
"Go ahead and give me each of your mission reports, like you gave the Vicarius. Then we'll talk about observations on Zakat himself," Saren says, grunting slightly as he sits on a bench. You can only assume most chairs would be uncomfortable given his wings. On the plus side, his posture is impeccable.
I was not yet a member of the squad at the time of that particular mission, so I doubt I'll be of much help here, Kizziar informs Saren.
Detect Magic: You detect a few minor auras, a moderate, and a strong, from various enchanted items he is wearing.
"Our mission was to deliver a message to the leader of a group known as the Tower. In the course of doing so, we were accosted by a being calling himself 'the storm'. He spoke to us, and held a disparaging view of Hellknights. He professed a desire to cause anarchy - to destroy the pillars of civilization, where all were equal, fighting desperately to survive. He then demonstrated a proficiency for electrical magic. We took steps to cast defensive spells upon ourselves, then he blasted us with a lightning arc spell. I told the squad to scatter and take cover in the trees when another of our squadmates at the time, Signifier Tybalt Volocritus, engaged him in conversation again, thus distracting him from his assault on us. We spoke with him back and forth for a short time before he remembered we were fighting, then flew up into the air to cast a fireball-type spell upon the area we were in, modified to be electricity-based. At this point, the leader of the Tower intervened to incapacitate Zakat, and we were able to complete our mission."
Morvan mentions only the part of his report involving Zakat. The precise nature of the Tower, Imazi's name, and information about the encampment was not relevant to their testimony.
Urashu steps up after Morvan. "Maralictor Saren, I have some details I can add regarding Zakat's magical abilities and attacks. Most notable is that the storm in the area where we encountered him increases or subsided in direct correlation to his current mood and decisions. I cannot ascertain if he created the storm, or if he merely took control of it after it had formed.
He had protective barriers of electricity that formed almost immediately after encountering us.
He also used attacks meant to hit as many of us as possible. While the line was still formed he used a lightning arc attack that could hit almost all of us. When we had scattered and hidden in the trees he used a lightning attack that covered a wide area and could hit even invisible opponents. I can also confirm Morvan's assessment that the second lightning attack was cast similar to how a fireball spell would be cast, by the entire effect was electrical.
He also took defensive measures to hide himself from any return attacks, though the squad did not inundate any.
Finally, I will note, though I am note sure if it was under Zakat's direction, that there we many figures that were appearing to surround us and keep us penned in. Those figures did not join in the fight, but I cannot say what would have happened if we had tried to leave the immediate area. "
Saren raises an eyebrow at Urashu mentioning that you were surrounded, but otherwise makes no comment.
"Sounds good. Make sure to expound on how distractible and inconsistent he was, that's what we want them to focus on. Also make sure to be extra vivid when describing his magic. The goal is to ensure that they don't want to deal with the headache that he would bring." Saren nods his approval.
"Other than that, just enjoy the accommodations I guess. Meet me at 9:30 tomorrow morning here, and I'll show you to the court. It doesn't actually start until 11:00, so we should have plenty of time."
Urashu nods and salutes. "Understood, Sir." He departs with the others.
"Understood. We shall rendezvous tomorrow morning." Morvan will depart and spend the evening performing his Obedience to Asmodeus and praying for spells.
Kizziar flies out, following the others back to their lodgings.
The next morning the squad meets outside of Saren's room, who promptly escorts you out and guides you towards a very familiar room. Much like the Hellknight version of the same, this heavily guarded room features little but an open floor and guards. He signs a book and a guard stamps it.
"Everyone ready? Good," he says, and you all link hands as he teleports you out. Between one blink and the next you appear in distressingly bright courtyard next to an enormous building. It is extravagant to the extreme, so far past the point of gaudy that it seems to have come full circle to being awe-inspiring. Giant gold statues, mosiacs tiled with actual gemstones, and fountains featuring both water and fire and just some of the things you see.
"Follow me. And, not that I think you need to be reminded, but please don't touch anything," Saren says as he leads you into the slightly more shaded interior of the courthouse, though the displays of wealth don't diminish.
You go down a few hallways and staircases before entering a conference room where two men are waiting for you. One, dressed in all white trimmed in gold is an elderly man, wrinkled and stooped, and has a large pair of glasses perched on his nose. The other is a perfect contrast, a towering Ulfen woman wearing all black, with short cropped hair and a distressing number of piercings. She eyes you distrustfully as you enter.
"Ah, are these the ones then?" the ancient Kalistocrat asks, peering at you through his spectacles.
"Yes your honor," Saren responds, bowing slightly, before turning to you.
"Hellknights, this is Kalistocrat Rowyat, the honorable judge who is presiding over your case."
Kizziar is perched on Urashu's shoulder in the form of a rat, masquerading as his familiar (unless Urashu opposes this). He remains silent, carefully scanning the Kalistocrat and the Ulfen woman.
Kallant followed the squad operating the strategy of being seen and not heard. He continued his normal of routine of calisthenics and equipment maintenance for the day.
So, Kallant arrived in the blinding courtyard with highly reflective armor and luxuriously maintained leather gear. He blocked the sun with his arms and continued to follow the squad.
Urashu steps in, walking in a little less fluidly with the rat perched on his shoulder. He stands at attention, waiting for Maralictor Fellis to speak first, or to be addressed by the Kalistocrat.
Morvan takes in their surroundings and the incredibly gaudy display of wealth. These Kalistocrats have no appreciation for subtlety.
Once they arrive in the conference room, Morvan takes in the Kalistocrat and the Ulfen. Offering a short bow, Morvan says, "An honor to meet you, Kalistocrat. I am Maralictor Morvan Fellis, and this is my squad. Signifier Urashu Trasalor, Signifier Mellii Imperato, and Hellknight Kallant."
Melii tries to hide her distaste at their gaudy surroundings as she bows to Rowyat as well.
"Excellent indeed. We are pleased to host you here, and I hope you will find your stay to be acceptably comfortable. Before you are sworn in, I would just like to ask a question for my own personal curiosity," he gazes at you intently, is nearsighted, watery eyes not diminishing his scrutiny in the least.
"We have a great many reports on this stormborn. Many of which are conflicting. In one he single-handedly wipes an entire border fort off the map. And in another he is slain - or nearly so - by a single swordsman with no magical talent whatsoever. It is hard to reconcile these seemingly contradictory reports. Tell me, what is your assessment?"
"That he is erratic, fickle, and just as likely staged his near slaying as was actually nearly slain. Or perhaps it is that death is merely an inconvenience to him, and not as final as it is for the rest of us. I can tell you that he does what he does out of his own amusement. It may have amused him to allow the swordsman to nearly slay him - or perhaps it amused him to trick the swordsman into thinking he slew him. That he wiped out a border fort is unsurprising - he probably decided he didn't like the color of the stone they used. As I said, he is very erratic, and guided almost entirely by his whims. He would probably be pleased to know he's left such conflicting reports." Morvan makes sure to emphasize how erratic Zakat is, while alluding to Zakat as being powerful enough to fake his own death and level a border fort.
"Hm. Thank you," the elderly judge says, nodding. He again shakes hands with Saren, and exits the room.
"Alright. We still have some time before we're sworn in. I'm going to go talk to some people. You're free, just make sure to be back in this room by 11." Saren instructs.