Kel darts forward, trying to close the gap between himself and the girl. When he gets withing 40ft, one of the soldiers fires his crossbow at the ground in front of him. "We said piss off! There won't be another warning!" he says as he begins to reload.
As Kel skids to a halt, the leader continues. "My men don't joke. Take another step without my permission, and they won't hesitate. What is one life to you? Especially when that one life could save hundreds? Do you really have no idea of the rite that you've interrupted?"
Tina moves up some
Kel draws Radiance, letting it's golden sheen glint for a moment, then drops the blade on the ground. His shield and his glaive follow. He doesn't stop moving forward. "Fine. You want to kill someone so bad, start with me. Whatever rite you think you're performing, I'll take her place."
"Let her go."
/Foghorn I say, I say, what in the Sam hill did he do that for?
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Deia continues to move up behind Kel, trying to support the show of force as much as possible.
"Kel, are you sure this is a good idea?" she says quietly, trying to only allow him to hear. "I hope you have a plan that I've not figured out yet."
Deia readies a cast of Slumber Hex in case Kel gets charged by two or more of the people.
"Kel - no! You're mad!"
As Kel makes his display and continues forward the leader holds up her hand to stay her troops. "Slowly. One step at a time, arms held out at your sides. Anyone else in your group moves, especially that one trying to sneak around back there, you die. Try to move too quickly, you die. Don't do what I tell you, you die. Understand?" she says, her voice remaining firm.
Without waiting for an answer she adds, "Now approach within 5 paces of me, and lie down."
"What you are doing is wrong and you know it." Kel says, talking as he complies, walking slowly. "Whatever edge you think this will give you against the demons, you're wrong. The only thing they fear is the power of faith, and cold iron."
Kel looks over the soldiers. "Do you really think murdering someone would be something that would bother a demon? This is exactly the sort of thing a demon would want you to do!"
"This city is a ruin, but help is on it's way. There will be a response to this. When they come, there will be crusaders among them, Paldins of Iomedae. If you kill this woman, they will see the stain on your soul and put you to the question. Then, when you admit what you have done, it will be you kneeling and sobbing before the sword. Is that what you want?"
Kel does not lie down yet. "It isn't to late to stop this insanity. Just let her go. I'll do whatever you want. Just let her go."
When Kel reaches the soldiers, but instead keeps talking without lying down, the closest one with a sword drawn steps up and boots a boot to Kel's knee. "She said lay down!"
But Kel stands firm and doesn't buckle.
The leader steps forward saying, "Tough guy, eh? Let me get a look at you; Let me see if you're worthy of the sacrifice. The tales say that only by binding the purest of souls to our weapons will we stand a chance against the demonic hordes. If you're not fitting of that, then we'll kill both you and the girl. The old ritual will be completed with the death of the girl, and your death will have been for nothing. And when, IF, reinforcements ever arrive, they'll find us still standing, fighting the demons back into their pits with the power that this girl was brave enough to lend us. And we will be hailed as heroes, for with one life we will have saved countless."
The leader leans in close to Kel's ear and whispers something.
Bahahahahaha! Really? She's serious? She's serious! Oh, wow, bahahahaha.
You're an idiot, you know that. She's completely insane, and you walked right into her arms. Brilliant.
There isn't any ritual like what she's talking about. If there was it would be used. Pious people would be lining up to throw themselves on swords. It would be this whole area's national past time.
"Heroes don't kill innocent people. They protect them." Kel said loud enough that all the soldiers could hear him.
"I get it, you're tired and scared and desperate, but this isn't the way. The demons will not care at all whether your swords have been used to kill this girl or not. The only difference will be that when you face them and die, you'll go to the abyss. That's where evil souls go. That's where people who commit murder go."
"Your needs, no matter how great, do not outweigh this girls right to live."
He looked around at the soldiers. "Do your hearts really tell you this is right? Are you so certain of what you are about to do that you are willing to damn yourself to do it? Even if you're right, you're still a murderer."
Kel took one more step toward the crying girl, knowing it might be his last.
"But we can answer this question right now. Arivashniel back there, the blind guy, he's a Riftwarden. He can summon an Archon. You can ask an angel if you are doing the right thing."
"How does that sound?"
Tina moves around the back of the house she is next to. If she can't save Kel's life, she'll be sure to make those crazy guards go up in smoke.
This tale she told did not seem right at all. What was behind all of this? He searches his mind for answers. Oh god of knowledge and wisdom, reveal the truth behind these garbled stories.
;
As Kel steps up and Deia moves forward the leader points the tip of her sword at Kel's neck and she barks, "I SAID NO ONE MOVES! ONE MORE STEP AND I'LL SLAUGHTER ALL OF YOU! What don't you people understand about that?!"
Looking at Kel, she lowers her voice somewhat and growls, "Tell me, why should I believe you? For all I know, you're just waiting for us to turn our backs before you do something to kill us. You put on a good show, dropping your weapons like that, but I know how magic works. It could have been an illusion. Or it could be that you don't need those weapons. And if your friend can summon the angels themselves, why didn't he do so to stop the demons from wrecking the city? Where was he when they attacked yesterday? No, I think you're lying. And I think you're stalling. So what is it that you've got planned? Demonic friends coming around the corner to slaughter us all? Is that why you're so intent on stopping us?"
"Lady, I just fought my way through cultists and demons and crawled up through the goddamned sewers to get back up here and try to help. That happened about five minutes ago and you are the first people we've seen. You want proof, take a whiff. I stink."
"The reason we weren't up here yesterday is because the ground opened up and swallowed us all."
"I'm stalling because I don't want you to kill this girl. How difficult is that for you to grasp. You're about to murder someone for no reason at all and I would really prefer you didn't. I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt here. I'm hoping you really are just confused and desperate."
"Here's the thing though, if you really do plan on killing her no matter what anyone says, because you believe so strongly in this ritual of yours that you're willing to damn yourself to do it, it doesn't even matter. You still don't get what you want. I'll die, sure, but so will you. Your ritual, even if it works and turns all your weapons into copies of the Sword of the Inheritor, won't do a damn thing to save you."
"Your only leverage is that you have hostages. In order for you to get what you want, you have to kill your hostages. What happens after that?"
"If I die, they kill you. You won't be fighting demons. It will be a rift warden and his allies killing you because you have shown yourself to be irredeemably evil. He really will summon an angel, and it won't be to answer questions. It will be to send you to hell."
"You have another murder ritual that can help you against that?"
"There is no victory for you in this. Only death, yours included. This is how the demons win. They don't even have to be here if they can get us to kill each other."
Tina keeps tiptoeing through the rubble
Max is disturbed by all this ritual nonsense. Who does a ritual without understanding it first? "You say that 'the tales' speak of a ritual to bind pure souls to weapons. What tales? Is this tale written anywhere? Have you ever see this ritual done? We are mere paces away from the Blackwing Library. Have you ever seem the ritual discussed there or in any other house of knowledge? Tell me, what do those documents say? Or do you propose to just kill an innocent girl based on some tales told in a tavern? As a scholar of the planes, I have never heard of anything like this so called ritual."
The woman hesitates, keeping her sword pointed at Kel's throat. After a few moments, she says "Men, tactical withdrawal. This one isn't worth the hassle."
Moving almost as one, the entire group begins to slowly back away. At first they keep their front to you, making sure to keep their weapons ready in case anyone tries to stop them. As they near the end of the street they turn and break into a run before rounding the corner.
The crying woman rises to her feet and throws herself at Kel as she begins to ramble through her tears.
"Thank you so much! I thought that I was going to die today for nothing more than picking through the rubble of a ruined shop for food. I thought they were guards, and so when they called to me I went willingly, but then they started to talk about sacrificing me. I tried to run, but they caught me. I didn't think anyone would come when I screamed, but I didn't have any other choice. So I screamed, even though it could have meant the demons would find me. But you found me instead, and you saved me, and I just can't believe it. After all that's happened here, and how everyone left as fast as they could, I thought for sure that I was going to die..."
The woman drops back down to her knees and begins crying again, choking out a "thank you" every so often between sobs.
Rex continues to creep through the rubble.
We watches the group withdraw, keeping his pistol trained on them in case they try anything.
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"Nice job there, " Deia says to Kel, breathing a sigh of relief.
To the rest of the group, she says "That went better than expected. I just hope we don't see that lot later, trying the same thing with somebody else. ".
She also tries to get the woman calmed down. "What is your name? You'll be safe with us, don't worry. As long as we are standing, no harm will befall you. We're on the way to try to find Crusaders in good standing. Try to remember their faces, in case we run into them again."
Tina rejoins the groups after hearing the soldiers withdraw.
Kel gives the woman a hug and takes a knee when she collapses. "It's going to be alright."
He looks up and just nods to Deia, a small smile on his face, his nerves clearly a little frayed.
So that's what it feels like. I always wondered.
Yeah. That's good. Possibly the highest good. That's what it feels like. You did it. Congratulations.
You don't sound very happy. We saved this woman. What's wrong?
I can't feel it anymore! I only have it through you! I would have let her die just for an excuse to slaughter them! I don't get to have this and I don't deserve it! I hate this, and I hate you, and I hate them, and... just leave me alone, alright!
After a few moments Kel helps the woman stand up. "We need to keep moving. We're exposed out here." he says looking around for danger while he goes to collect his weapons and waits for the woman to collect herself and answer Deia's questions.
He carefully checks Radience for damage and dirt. He felt a little bad for dropping such a priceless weapon.
The woman slowly regains her composure, and she answers Deia. "My name is Klarah. And while I thank you so much for saving me, I can't come with you. My parents were both wounded when a demon came smashing through the neighborhood, and I can't leave them alone for long..."
"But I'd love to repay you all for what you've just done. You look tired, and if it's true that you've just come from the sewers, you may wish for a bath. You're welcome to come rest in what remains of my family's home. It's much less comfortable than it was just yesterday, but our cellar has proven safe enough overnight. I could even warm some water for you to clean yourselves with, if you'd like."
A little washup would be great.
Kel smiles appreciatively. "That would be wonderful. You said you were looking for food though. Did you find any? We could help you carry it back, or at least keep you safe while you finish your search."
Klarah nods when Kel asks her if she found any food. "I found enough. I had it with me, but I dropped it when those people grabbed me. With any luck it's still laying on the shop's floor. It's just a short way away, and isn't far from my home. Follow me." she says as she slowly starts to make her way down the street, carefully looking around as she goes.
A few minutes later you find yourselves standing on yet another ruined street. Klarah disappears into one of the shattered houses, motioning for you to follow. As she disappears out of sight Lann closes the distance that he's been keeping from the rest of the party ever since they encountered the woman. He looks pensive, and tries to cover his face and claws within his clothing, but is unable to do so.
"I am not sure that I should go in. I do not know if she was able to get a good look at me, because she did not react to my appearance and I kept considerable distance between us. I do not wish to frighten anyone after what has happened here, and it would not be the first time that my people have been mistaken for demons..."
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Deia frowns slightly at Lann's suggestion. "Lann, I agree people may be frightened, but you can't hide forever. Wasn't that the whole point of coming back to Kenabras, to stop hiding and offer aid to the city? It's a small step to take, but starting with these folk is as good as any. Ultimately, it is up to you but I think you should go in."
We can give you a hooded cloak.
"If they don't like having you around, we'll all leave and find somewhere else to rest. Let's introduce you to Klarah before we go to her home."
When Klarah returns Kel approaches her. "Klarah, before we continue, there's someone we need you to meet. His bloodline has been cursed, so his appearance might be frightening to you, but he is a good person and comes from a long line of Crusaders. He's the reason we made it out of the underground in time to help you. This is the first time he's been to the surface so he's a little nervous."
He leads her over to Lann. "Klarah, this is Lann."
Max looks to the skies, making sure he is able to retrieve his familiar and get a report before everyone departs.
Lann continues to try and hide the serpentine half of his face as Klarah comes back out of the house. When Kel explains the situation he slowly turns to expose it. When Klarah gets a good look at him she very obviously recoils.
"Oh... Ummm... How... Interesting... Well, if he's, ummm... I... I guess if he's with you he can't be bad... Please, come inside."
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Deia smiles and purposefully speaks loud enough that Klarah and Lann can hear, "See, Lann, there was no problem. Not everybody judges on first appearances."
Deia goes inside the dwelling with the rest of the group. Once inside, she looks around and tries to get an assessment of Klarah's parents and their injuries.
As you go inside the home, you see that the main floor is still relatively intact, but the second story has been destroyed and has collapsed downward through the ceiling in places. Klarah leads you to the back of the home, to what was formerly the kitchen, and then down a set of stairs into the cellar. Going down the stairs you notice a tackiness on every step caused by thick streaks of partially dried blood.
The cellar is lit with a small lantern that's been placed on a stool in the middle of the room. The room itself is small, with the low ceiling adding to its claustrophobic feel. The smell of onions garlic, and other pungent root vegetables fills the air, no doubt caused by the sacks of them laying against one of the walls. Off in the corner, Klarah's parents are lying, heavily bandaged and bloody, on a makeshift bed of piled clothes and blankets. As you enter, neither of them stir, but you can hear their ragged breathing telling you that they're still alive.
Her mother, while in comparatively better shape at first glance, has gone very pale, feels cool to the touch, and her breathing is shallow. Heavy bruising covers her midsection, most likely caused by her bleeding internally and signifying that most of her wounds lie below the skin's surface.
"I'm not sure what she's seeing, but my bird seems to feel joy and exhilaration. I hope it's more than merely Meadow finally getting to spread her wings."
Tina also begins checking out the wounded parents.
+2 vs poison/disease She also uses 4 uses of her healing kit to treat deadly wounds.
"Well this place looks as good as any to rest up for a while. Good to be out in the open again, though not much of the city left it appears."
Max begins to try and identify items.
He will spend the night attempting to learn Invisibility.
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Once everybody is in the semi-destroyed house, Deia looks at Klarah's parents with some concern. That's not good, especially not the infection. I can only assume that is the work of those demons that bring forth the wretched cloud. At least the woman has injuries that my magic should be able to do something about, she thinks.
Deia casts her healing hex on each of Klarah's parents.
"Stars of the sky, mend the wounds of Klarah's father!"
"Stars of the sky, mend the wounds of Klarah's mother!"
If Deia gets a chance, she confers with Tina about the wounds. "I've never seen anything like those wounds before. I would guess that it is a side-effect of the demons. What do you think?"
Tina is examining the wounds carefully and 'Hmmming' I wouldn't be surprised
Deia and Tina set about tending to Klarah's parents. Deia lays her hands on each of them in turn. Some of the color comes back to her mother's skin and her breathing grows less shallow, but she still remains unconscious. Her father's recovery is less pronounced, with some of his lesser wounds stitching themselves shut but the larger wounds and infection still remaining. Meanwhile, Tina tries to remedy the infection with the application of antiseptic salves and fresh bandages. She also sets the broken bones in both of his legs.
As the two women attend to the her parents' wounds, Klarah stands off to the side watching intently. "Are you doctors? I've never seen anyone handle the wounded like that. I tried to do my best, but I'm nowhere near as skilled as you are and all I could do was bring them down here and wrap their wounds. Do you think they'll make it?"
I've trained as a healer as part of my schooling so I can keep their wounds clean, set your father's bones and try to treat the infection. I am not sure about the infection though but we have given them a better chance.
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Deia grins at Klarah, "I'm not a doctor, no. As you can see, I do have some talents with healing, though. It is hard to explain, but the ability comes from my connection to the stars in the sky and my ancestors."
She continues, "It is too early to say what will happen to your parents, but I have done what I can. We can try more in the morning. In the meantime, let me show you some things that may help." Deia tries to show Klarah some rudiments of the healing skill.