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"Signifier Karva, the Pathfinders have freely chosen honouring and strengthening the alliance with our Order over pursuing their own desire for ancient knowledge and lost lore. They gave their word to help the Order of the Gate, and so they shall"
Svetlana gives a knowing nod to Ursion Voralius, as though the situation and outcome answers his earlier questions.
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Signifier Karva thanks you for your stalwart behavior, and swiftly orders the Hellknights to march towards the place where the ritual is to take place. The mountain path dead-ends here inside of a box canyon. Crude carvings and ancient paintings cover the canyon’s walls, marking this as the ancestral home of an orc tribe. Scattered across the canyon floor are large piles of stacked skulls - one of them is even a dragon skull! Four sets of carved stairs lead to yawning caves in the sides of the canyon. In the center of the canyon is a sprawling pit of worms and writhing insects. A narrow stone path leads to a small island in the pit of worms, where an altar made of bone rests surrounded by a circle of glowing runes.
The moment you arrive, the canyon is drowned in guttural chanting noises, issued by two mystics, protected by their chieftain. However, your arrival has drawn many orcs from their warrens. Karva immediately reacts by dispatching her Hellknight troops at the entrance of the warrens to prevent the scarred orcs from engaging you in battle. "Hellknight Svetlana, disrupt the ritual at all costs! We'll cover you, but you must act fast!"
The orc chieftain steels himself for your arrival, and drinks a potion to bolster his morale.
The Ritual - round 1
1. Orc Chieftain (red, heroism)
2. Holman, Svetlana
3. ???, Orc Mystics (blue)
4. Hellknights
5. Marra, Grimaldus, Penelope
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Both orc mystics temporarily interrupt the ritual's progression, casting a spell that makes them vanish from view. Another incantation can be heard, seemingly coming from the pit of maggots and worms.
One of the Hellknights come to your aid, sending a volley of magic missiles at the orc chieftain. The latter growls in pain, and feels infuriated by the taunting attitude of the Hellknights. "Slay them all! Leave none alive! We'll feast on their bones tonight."
The Ritual - round 1
1. Orc Chieftain (red, heroism, 11)
2. Holman, Svetlana
3. ???, Orc Mystics (blue, invisible)
4. Hellknights
5. Marra, Grimaldus, Penelope
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Grimaldus takes off running, covering a surprising amount of ground in his +2 mithril full plate armor. The 'Pain Train' comes right up to the orc chieftain with his weapon at the ready!
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"Save some foes for me" Marra yells as she moves up and cast Ear Piercing Scream {link} on the Orc chieftain.
sonic + Daze one round.
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The chieftain's brawn are enough to shake off the effects of Mara's spell. The spell, however, infuriates him to the point he lets out the full might of his rage and seeks to ravage Grimaldus with fang and axe! Luckily, the fighter's armor deflects all the incoming blows.
The Ritual - round 2
1. Orc Chieftain (red, heroism, 17)
2. Holman, Svetlana
3. ???, Orc Mystics (blue, invisible)
4. Hellknights
5. Marra, Grimaldus, Penelope
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Svetlana sends her fiendish minion into the fray, whereas she charges forward alongside Holman. The nimble halfling engages the chieftain and stabs him where it hurts.
Among the din of the fight some more incantations can be heard, though the spellcasters can't be seen and no visible effects are in sight.
However, your heart skips a beat as a formidable and yet terrible beast emerges from the pit of worms and maggots - a pale creature with four suckered arms that end in pincers. A gnashing maw gapes in its head between two staring eyes, reflecting a profound evil. Somehow it seems to wiggle its tentacles in your direction.
The Hellknights once more use their spellcasting to aid the Pathfinders! Two scorching rays are shot at the chieftain, who dodges the first one, but is severely burnt by the second one. However, the Hellknight who aided you is struck dead by an orc once his deed done...
The Ritual - round 2
1. Orc Chieftain (red, heroism, 66)
2. Holman, Svetlana
3. That-Which-Peels-Flesh, Orc Mystics (blue, invisible)
4. Hellknights (1 dead)
5. Marra, Grimaldus, Penelope
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Marra is unimpressed by a little tentacle wiggling as she names the creature "This outsider belongs to the qlippoths, and is named shoggti. This must be the one they call 'That Which Peels Flesh'."
Marra moves up and cast Good Hope {link} on her allies and herself
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With a succession of two earth-shattering blows, Grimaldus slays the chieftain!
-Posted with Wayfinder
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As Holman darts forward, Svetlana and her minion hack at the tentacled qlippoth with great efficiency! The beast retaliates by lashing out against the Hellknight. With its fourth tentacle it touches Hellion's head, draining the Hellknight's clarity.
Suddenly, both mystics reappear and cast spells to disrupt the Pathfinders' cohesion. They reappear with one double each, making them easily missable.
One of the Hellknights comes to your aid and shoots two fiery rays at the Shoggti, but unfortunately its resilience to fire proves prevalent. Luckily, the Hellknight isn't hurt in the process.
The Ritual - round 4
1. Marra, Grimaldus, Penelope, Holman, Svetlana (15, 1 Wis dmg)
2. That-Which-Peels-Flesh (53), Orc Mystics (blue, 1 mirror image each)
3. Hellknights (1 dead)
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Marra moves forward and cast Ear Piercing scream {link} on the far Orc Mystic.
damage plus 1 round of stun. Fort save vs DC14 for half damage and ignore stun.
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As Holman and Svetlana struggle to remain in control of themselves, Grimaldus almost fells one of the mystics with a single, staggering blow! Marra shuts down one of the mystics, left stunned by the halfling's sonic blast.
The devil strikes, but his weapon swings through thin air, leaving the qlippoth unharmed.
That-Which-Peels-Flesh refrains from striking Svetlana, preferring to step back and strike the conjured devil.
The remaining mystic takes a step back and casts a blinding spell at Grimaldus.
Once more, one of the Hellknights rises to help the Pathfinders. This time, Ursion Voralius's voice rises over the deafening din of the fight, chanting warding words. Svetlana immediately feels shielded from blows. An orc attempts to stab the Hellknight in the back, but luckily Marra is able to warn him in time for him to parry the blow and most likely save his life!
The Ritual - round 5
1. Marra, Grimaldus, Penelope, Holman (6), Svetlana (25, 1 Wis dmg), Devil (12, grappled)
2. That-Which-Peels-Flesh (53), Orc Mystics (blue, 1 mirror image each, 40, 16)
3. Hellknights (1 dead)
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With two well-adjusted strikes - the first cutting off the tentacle holding the bearded devil, the second crushing skull and brain - the Hellknight puts an end to the threat opressing the Menador mountains. That-Which-Peels-Flesh is slowly submerged by the worms and maggot, clearly dead. At the same moment, the portal that was about to open through the orcs' sinister ritual implodes with a loud shockwave that sweeps throughout the land, knocking prone orcs, Pathfinders and Hellknights alike. The rest is just pure chaos - orcs running, maggots scattering in a clamor of fear from the stalwart bastion of law erected in these infertile lands. The Hellknight regroup at the order given by Signifier Karva, steeling themselves for what's to come. "Hellknights, form ranks! Weapon at the ready. At my command - CHARGE! GIVE THEM HELL!" shouts Karva at the top of her voice, pointing at the orc stragglers attempting to flee the scene. Acting as one, the Hellknights merge into a formidable crashing wave that takes everything in their path, severing heads, incinerating orc flesh and sending volleys of arcane missiles to achieve their ultimate goal - restore order.
In the aftermath of the battle, you can only consider that their victory is complete! The mystics were slain, That-Which-Peels-Flesh struck dead, and the ritual interrupted in time. Signifier Karva greets you with a formal, yet grateful, nod. "Together we achieved something great today. Not only did you strengthen the bonds between our respective orders, but you ensured that law reigns supreme in these lands of chaos and confusion. I thank you for that, and will make sure to write a favorable report to your leaders." Ursion Voralius also adresses a beaming smile and a nod that clearly indicates his appreciation for what you did today.
On your way back, Signifier Karva agrees to venture to the Temple of the Sky, yet this detour is only met with bitter disappointment. A great battle took place there, which saw most of the temple destroyed, especially a serie of interesting pillars that could have possessed powerful magic. Yet nothing remains there. The long way home is a silent one, where everyone broods and dwells on their thoughts.
Your return to the Grand Lodge is met with awe, as everyone - including the Paracountess - well understands the difficulty of the choice you were faced with. Tales will be told of your prowess in battle, but also of the staunch supporters you've made of the Order of the Gate. When the Society faces its next hardships, it is most likely they will answer the call for aid. A Hellknight, after all, is always true to his word.
Svetlana looks rather pleased with the outcome and is a lot less disappointed about the pillars, given the chaos filth that the group managed to smash back to whence it came.
She waves goodbye to her fellow Hellknights "Signifier Karva, this was a glorious victory for our Order. I look forward to my day when I can return to the Citadel, but for now I must keep roaming the lands building our bonds with the Pathfinders. They have learnt from us this adventure, as I hope we have learnt much about them. Until next time..." she departs, giving Ursion Voralius a knowing smile as she does so.
***
[b]"Well fought friends, we brought the carnage to that fight and showed those Orcs the might of both the Hellknights and the Pathfinder Society, I would gladly adventure with you all again. Svetlanas armour fades back away and leaves her dressed in stylish reds and blacks in a more glamourous and feminine fashion - the signature bardiche in the Bearded Devil fashion looking like a curious accessory to the outfit.