Round 5, Init 3
AC = 19 (Shielded)
HP = 31/44
Weapon Equipped = +1 CI Lucerne Hammer
Condition(s) = Align Weapon, Shielded, Bull's Strength
Eli moves past Cole and Serra, hoping to lock eyes with more combatants. Passing the tents, he sees the northern group of archers, and so brings another burst of light to stagger their eyes. Burn them brightly, my Love. Overwhelm them.
Eli sends another burst of Radiance at the remaining cluster of cultists. They miss the worst of it, but even so, they see spots and the scent of celestial char lingers in their nostrils.
Grateful that his mount is sure on his feet again, Beagan attempts to leap back into the saddle.
With the Gnome barely sliding into his back, Xanthos rushes forward towards the archers, Serra's quick spell urging him forward incredibly quickly. Beagan draws his sword as the battle bunny attempts to chomp down hard on a cultist archer.
Seeing the demon ahead, the Gnome clutches the medallion on his chest and holds forth his sword, his arm bearing the drawing of the firey blade on his skin. The air around begins to crackle until a small flamer swirls out and away from Beagan in all directions.
Equipped- Sword
AC (B) - 22 {24 vs. Evil} (+1 small, +4 chain shirt, +4 shield, +2 Dex, +1 Haste) {+2 P frm Evil}
HP (B) - 45/53
AC (X) - 27 (+2 Dex, +6 natural, Mage Armor +4, Shield +4, +1 Haste)
HP (X) - 6/25
Spells 1st level - Paladin 1/4, Firey Vengeance 1/4
Shield (B) - 24/30
Shield (X) - 25/30
P f Ev (B) - 27/30
Mythic Powers - 3/4
( Round 5 Summary)
Xanthos falls only to be healed by his faithful friend. He wakes understandably grumpy and tries to stand. The cultist tries to take advantage of his move to his feet, but can’t get through the wolfbunny’s thick bunny hide. Xanthos tries to bite the Cultist, but he can’t quite make it work; his powerful jaws snapping shut on nothing but air.
The dretch eats K1, every other cultist becomes faint of heart.
The knights, perhaps emboldened by the cultists’ failure of heart, bring their holiest fury to bear. They fall in droves, until only a few remain standing on the front lines.
The paladins on the hill flare with righteous fury as well, raining death upon their Cultist targets.
Jurin rushes towards the dretch, though who looks hungrier is open to debate.
Cole’s first and second arrows tear through another group of cultists, dropping two with each arrow, leaving nothing but a mess. His third, hasted arrow knocks single melee 21 back 10 feet and pins his dead carcass to one of the tents.
His voice rings with mythic power as he calls out to inspire Serra. Serra, for his part, swells with divine inspiration, but somehow cannot seem to make it matter.
Beagan channels, calling a holy fire to burn the dretch.
Round 6,
The dretch charges at the gnome but fails to even scratch the pocket-sized paladin.
Melee group five attacks K-5 once again, doing 7points of damage.
The archers, seeing the gnome so close, drop their bows to a man and attack Beagan but Eli's radiance still dazzles their eyes, making them miss.
Dretch: 19 (-12hp)
C. Melee group 5(-30)
Cultist Archer: (-26)
Jurin: 11 (-10 or no damage)
Knight Archers
knight group 2: (-6hp)
knight group 3: (-13+5=-8hp)
knight group 4: ( -7hp)(8hp)=(-15)(-7)=-22hp
knight group 5: (-4)(-7)(-11hp)
knight group 6: (-31+15channel+5layonhands=-11hp)
Serra Iondri Phaer: 5
Cole Zeff: 4
Elyanius Myoch: 3
Round 6
Beagan Berelcar: 22=(-8)hp
Xanthos: =22 (-19)
Round 6, Init 5
Serra moves back to his previous position and picks up his dropped wand.
Round: 6, Initiative: 8
Excited by the turn of fortune, and wishing to avenge their fallen comrades, the knights press their attacks viciously and with purpose. All smites are spent.
K2 charges (no AC penalty due to special ability but provokes from melee 5 I think if you have a reach weapon) and attacks dretch 3. K3 5’ steps and attacks melee 5. K4 charges (no AC penalty due to special ability but provokes from melee 5 I think if you have a reach weapon and combat reflexes) and attacks the cultist archers. K5 and K6 attack melee 5 though both will charge dretch 3 and attack if melee 5 drops (+2 to hit in that case). The archers on the hill target whoever is still standing that they can see, starting with the cultist archers, then dretch, then melee 5.
(morale, charge) (lay on hands 2/4) (smite 0/2)
(morale) (-8hp) (lay on hands 3/4) (smite 0/2)
(morale, charge) (-8hp) (lay on hands 2/4) (smite 0/2)
(morale) (-7hp) (smite 0/2)
(morale) (lay on hands 1/4) (smite 0/2)
(cover) (smite 0/2)
(cover)
M5 takes an AoO on K2 as it charges past to get to the dretch.
( Round 6 Summary)
Beagan channels, calling a holy fire to burn the dretch. The dretch charges at the gnome but fails to even scratch the pocket-sized paladin. Cultist group five attacks K-5. The cultist archers, seeing the gnome so close, drop their bows to a man and attack Beagan but Eli's radiance still dazzles their eyes, making them miss. Serra, seeing the battle turn in Good’s favor, takes a moment to return for his wand. The holy knights, excited by recent fortune, press their advantage, taking out both cultist group 5 and the dretch, leaving only the cultist formerly archers group standing.
The paladin archers on the hill try to end things, and though they do strike, they do not drop their the remaining cultists.
Dretch: 19 (-12hp) (-8)=(-20)(-4)=dying
C. Melee group 5(-30)(-9) dying
Cultist Archer: (-26)(-2)=(-28hp)
Jurin: 11 (-10 or no damage)
Knight Archers
knight group 2: (-6hp) (-10hp)=(-16hp)
knight group 3: (-13+5=-8hp)
knight group 4: ( -7hp)(8hp)=(-15)(-7)=-22hp
knight group 5: (-4)(-7)(-11hp)
knight group 6: (-31+15channel+5layonhands=-11hp)
Serra Iondri Phaer: 5
Cole Zeff: 4
Elyanius Myoch: 3
Round 6
Beagan Berelcar: 22=(-8)(-6)=(-14)hp
Xanthos: =22 (-19)
Round: 6, Initiative: 4
HP: 41/41 +11 temp
Weapon Equipped = Composite (+2) Long Bow, darkwood, +1, adaptive
Cold Iron Arrows = 42/54 (2 misses)
Silver Blunt Arrows = 20/20
Cold Iron, Adamantine Blanch Arrows = 20/20
Cold Iron, Ghost Salt Arrows = 10/10
+1, Outsider Bane, Cold Iron Blanch Arrows = 10/10
+1, Holy, Cold Iron Blanch Arrows = 5/5
+1, Evil Outsider Slaying (DC20 fort or +50hp damage), Cold Iron Blanch Arrow = 1/1
Conditions = Aspect of the Falcon (7 of 20), Bolstering (8 of 200)
Mythic Power = 3/4 (immed., d6)(swift, decisive strike)
Ranger Focus = 2/2 (ex, swift, +4 attack/damage)
Child of the Crusade = 1/1 (free, reroll failed save to be demonically possessed or incapacitated)
Silver Dragon Scale = 2/3 (standard, bolstering)
Bow Attack Mods: BAB +5, Dex +4, Bow +1, Weapon Focus +1, Rapid Shot -0, Deadly Aim -2
Bow Damage Mods: Composite Bow +3, Bow +1, Deadly Aim +4
Spells (caster level 2, concentration +4)
Level 0 (DC 12) Create Water (1/1)
Level 1 (DC 13)
Cole moves up to get a clear shot at the cultists and lets fly one last arrow.
(point blank, bolstering, aspect, haste)
(point blank)
Cole moves up and takes aim. The world narrows, until only the perfect path of the arrow fills his view. He lets it fly and it takes out the waning cultists in a split second, passing unerringly through flesh, rebounding perfectly off bone when needed to hit the next target. Like dominoes, they fall, one by one by one, leaving only the Righteous upright in upon the field.
Eli returns to collect the adamantine morningstar. He moves to the riverbed, and tries to witness to the cover the fog cloud maintains. Content that it seems to be holding, he moves north, hoping to understand the extent of their losses.
Serra runs his hand through his feathery beard, trying to avoid yanking out of any his precious and beautiful feathers.
He goes to seek out Cole on the battlefield.
"Cole! There were more cultists in the town! We should leave the knights to press on here while we begin to clear the town. It might be that the fog hides our victory and we can catch them unawares!"
Serra awaits orders to storm the town.
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Jurin huffs as the dretch is killed before he can lay into it.
"If we're going to town maybe you should be wearing your tassels Serra."
With the army staying behind to sort out the living and the dead, the party fords the river, disappearing into the fog. Several times, they come across small knots of cultists, but nothing like what they have already defeated. Soon, there is only one small building left, though the door is locked.
Beagan will heal Xanthos.
"Looks like a door. Wonder why it's locked."
"To keep people out. Or in. Whichever we want to be, that's the problem."
Cole takes Serra's advice and commands Jothinra to form a line and ready for our hasty retreat if we meet a force large in number. He leans in and whispers, "And get the dead off the battlefield. If we have to fight here again, I'd not do it on the bodies of our own." he frowns.
He turns and rushes up with the party past the ford and investigates the town. When they reach the locked door he listens.
"Well there's certainly someone in there," he whispers to the group, "Let's try and surprise them shall we?"
He breaks out some tools of the trade and begins to work the lock.
Eli leans in to watch Cole get to work on the lock. He furrows his brow, realizing the ranger seems to have some proficiency in the art of the pick. This one has been on both sides of the law, it would appear.
Recognizing his old shoulder isn't required just yet, Eli waits for the door to be opened.
"We are not a quiet group, Cole. These two here have already sized up the door as locked after trying to open it. Don't be surprised when you find the occupants within unsurprised by your effort to break and enter." The former lawman raises an eyebrow at the filcher, but does not raise his voice, for the concern of the inhabitant flinging the door open with Cole's skull so conveniently lowered.
Cole listens then opens the door quickly, the foggy light of day shining into the otherwise blackened space. Inside, a dozen warriors sit in a circle, continuing to pray. at the door, blinded by the light, stands a single woman. Her armor marks her as one of Iomedae's own, as does the resolute set to her features.
"You shall not take another of my men to slaughter. I will not allow it!"
Aasimarra marches around the battlefield, jabbing and stabbing any only-mostly-dead cultists, giving them the knight's mercy.
He looks about for Kastor while he works the battlefield before moving over to town.
* * *
Perception
Aasimarra watches, waiting for Cole to open the door.
"I will not allow it."
Aasimarra moves to the doorway to answer the woman. His glittery skin and feathered beard marking his aasimarness.
"Nor will we. I am 'Sir' Serra Iondri Phaer, recently knighted by her Lady the Queen," Aasimarra intones. "This is our leader, Sir Cole. That is Sir Ely. And Sir Beagan and, uh, Jurin the Cook."
Aasimarra steps back so the lady might see the group.
"Would you like to come out and see the results of the battle we have just waged to save you and destroy those who would align with demons?"
There is a rustle amongst the warriors behind her, as they get to their feet. "We are saved; surely Our Lady has answered our prayers".
The leader, Kamilo Dann nods appreciatively to Cole and the Aasimar. " So you are why they were late. Thank you for your deliverance."
"It appears your goddess has further work for you, for you to have survived the plague on the plain. When you are healed, it will be your decision and yours alone to send your men off to slaughter."
Eli begins to tend to the wounded as best he can. "Cole, these men are all suffering from starvation and exposure. Even if our healing kept them from Pharasma's halls, they will need time to gain their strength, both mental and physical."
"You're quite welcome. Excuse me a moment won't you?"
He turns around and yells, "Laina! Get Sosiel up here, we have some wounded men that need attention. And tell Jothinra what's going on so he can stand his men down. Thank you." he watches a moment to see/hear some sort of confirmation from her.
Either way, he then turns to the Kamilo, "Is there a fortified portion of the town we can make camp for the night? It's early yet, but I think we deserve a few extra hours rest today and your men should join us for dinner."
"So you are why they were late."
"Ummm.... Who was late?"
Serra will assist with whatever he can to help the survivors.
"Can you tell us anything about the attack? Where did they come from? Were there any leaders?" Serra asks Kamilo. He will ask the same of the other survivors.
Jurin scowls as the survivors are found and plans made.
"Want to rest in the guts? Town fell once, where do you think we could hide? And more to feed? Forgetting your real charge so soon Commander?"
The old man shakes his head.
"This is a waste of time you can't afford, unless Galfrey ordered you to get there as slow as possible?"
"It appears your goddess has further work for you."
"Our duty is here. We were to hold this ford. If you've men to spare, we could use the reinforcements...."
Eli begins to tend to the wounded as best he can. "Cole, these men are all suffering from starvation and exposure. Even if our healing kept them from Pharasma's halls, they will need time to gain their strength, both mental and physical."
"and the healing. Thank you for your grace."
****
"Ummm.... Who was late?"
"The cultists. Going by their previous actions, they were due over an hour ago to take a new victim. We would not be going willingly."
***Cole calls for his messenger from across the river back to the battle field and the young woman reports as quickly as possible, with Sosiel in tow. The broad shouldered cleric immediately begins to tend the rescued knights.
****
"Can you tell us anything about the attack? Where did they come from? Were there any leaders?"
"They came from the Wound, from the northwest. The leader was a large Brimorak, a goat demon." They all give the same description.
Cole's anger rises as he responds to Jurin, "These men are starving and near death. If we cannot afford a few hours rest and a meal to help them, then we're sinking to the level of our enemy."
"The knights also lost men this day, the first of the campaign, and they deserve a moments peace if we can manage it, and we can."
"But you're not wrong, so find a way to feed the multitude with a single loaf of bread and be ready to leave by dawn tomorrow. For now, we rest and rejoice in the saving of even a few lives from the hands of the demons."
"Settle down, Cole. We are nowhere near to sinking to the enemy's level. Don't speak so harshly. You know nothing about the resources here. For all we know, the cultists were living high on the hog, and the only thing keeping these soldiers from eating was access to the stores. You've removed the cultists, so..." Eli continues wiping at open wounds, removing as much filth can be.
"Before we begin thinking of Brimoraks, exactly where are we supposed to be headed, to reclaim the Banner?"
Jurin sighs and shakes his head, ready to respond before Eli steps in.
"Very well then, we'll commence looting while you lick your wounds. Or pillaging. Whichever."
Ignoring his own glaive cut Jurin leaves the prisoner building, setting out to find survivors or food in the ruined town.
"Sorry Jurin, the heat of battle."
Assuming the newcomers to be of no further help, Cole looks quickly for a place to camp on this side of the ford so they can get an early start and not have to make the crossing in early light.
Finding something hopefully suitable, or at least manageable, he instructs the caravan to cross the ford and make camp, then search the battlefield for whatever can be found that might be of use.
He spends the next while on these pursuits and making himself available for whatever might be needed until dinner.
When not called upon, he moves through the troops commenting on how effective they were considering the odds against them, and the unexpected strength of the enemy.
Serra, in general, nods along with what Cole is saying. He doesn't know much of full war, just of knightlyness and what's he learned from his father's book.
Rest is good. A chance to regroup and evaluate things.
When the survivors are handled, he will seek out Amber and Ara, asking them separately and each the same question(s).
"Hey Ara/Amber, they say a goat demon, a Brimorak, lead this raid. What do we know about them? How might we prepare for them?"
Know (Planes)
Kamilo walks with Cole, showing him places where his men can stay for the evening. While not an actual town, there are several buildings that can provide an actual warm evening for a change. "In the morning, I will lead my men back to Kenabres. I am sure the Queen will send men to hold the ford. Where do you go from here, if you don't mind my asking, Sir?"
Jurin and his assistants search the town, finding little in the way of the supplies at first. Kamilo and her soldiers, however, are able to help and soon they have the supplies divided into two stacks.
Kamilo walks with Cole, showing him places where his men can stay for the evening. While not an actual town, there are several buildings that can provide an actual warm evening for a change. "In the morning, I will lead my men back to Kenabres. I am sure the Queen will send men to hold the ford. Where do you go from here, if you don't mind my asking, Sir?"
"That's an interesting question." Cole takes off his hat and wipes his brow, setting his hat back down on it. "I'm not sure you really should know. The troops know I think, and someone may say, but I think the fewer people who know what we're actually doing out here the better so I'll keep that to myself."
"Suffice to say, we're taking the fight to the enemy. We've killed a few demons and demon supporters today, and shall continue to do so for some little while."
"Kenabres is an excellent goal. Come find me tonight during the first or third watch and I'll talk to you about the route we took, it's hazards, and some suggestions for your trip. I'll do what we can to aid you, but understand that we go deeper, and must keep as many of our supplies as we can for that purpose. We'll do what we can for you, but it won't be much."
"Find me later as I suggested and we'll talk further."
"Hey Ara/Amber, they say a goat demon, a Brimorak, lead this raid. What do we know about them? How might we prepare for them?"
"They are a smallish bestial demon, with nasty burning hooves, and ugly blue-gray skin with odd swirling patterns upon it. Thatches of dark, usually matted, fur, grow on it's head and arms, and its eyes glow as red as the flaming sword it usually wields. It often comes cloaked in a noxious smoke. Why, did you see one? How tall was it? I have heard as tall as 10 feet and as small as two." The librarian grabs his notebook, ready to chronicle new details.
- Immunity to electricity and poison.
- Resistance to acid 10, cold 10, and fire 10.
- Summon (Sp) Demons share the ability to summon others of their kind, typically another of their type or a small number of less powerful demons.
- Telepathy.
- Except where otherwise noted, demons speak Abyssal, Celestial, and Draconic.
- A demon's natural weapons, as well as any weapon it wields, is treated as chaotic and evil for the purpose of resolving damage reduction.
He continues to chatter as he writes, offering up as much ore more than he takes in. "They have much the same traits as other demons, unholy resistances to nature's elements. Telepathy! Ooh! More than one good man has been lead astray by their mental assaults. It is one of their weaknesses, as well, though, leaving them weakwilled in front of their betters. Oh, they have the ability to produce flame like a foul sorceror might, up to three times a day. and they seem resistant to magic too. "
Serra takes his time to press Amber and Ely on the nature and structure of Brimorak demons, trying to suss out and piece together what might be effective against them. Satisfied that he has tapped the wells of knowledge within the expedition, Serra goes to report to Cole.
"Cole, we've done some research into those Brimorak demons. They tend to..." Serra explains the Cole (and anyone around) the details of the spoilers above. "...and, well, they are dangerous, but no more dangerous than the rest of demon."
Serra scratches his beard, thinking.
"I almost would prefer to fight demons...than cultists. With demons, we know their nature and how they operate. But with cultists...they are mad. They are varied in strength and disposition. They are more of a cipher."
Eli takes comfort with his friends, making sure they came through decently enough. Assuming Saul's going to want some injuries to show off when he returns to Greengold. With what little encouragement it takes to involve Father Marcus in healing the recently discovered prisoners of war, Eli feels more comfortable as the city is investigated, and resources are plied.
"We're in the thick of it now. Talk of demons should become almost a daily occurrence." He looks over the two, his thought hesitant, but still strong enough to come forth. "I hear talk of a return party to Kenabres. That's an opportunity, you know. Seeing as we're almost at our destination here, you've served your oath to see me safely arrived. What do you say? You've got some stories now, eh?" Eli smiles encouragingly at the two.
...
Eli makes his rounds, interested to learn more of the actual battle itself, since he wasn't witness to any of it directly. Beagan seems the perfect weather vane. Finding the gnome, Eli gives him a once over, before inquiring robustly.
"Other end of the battlefield, weren't you? How did it go from your vantage? We were lucky enough to roust the back ranks, but I still feel we were better suited to more direct confrontation with bigger foes, than masses of littler ones." A bottle has found its way into Eli's hand, and he offers it briskly enough to the gnome.
"I almost would prefer to fight demons...than cultists. With demons, we know their nature and how they operate. But with cultists...they are mad. They are varied in strength and disposition. They are more of a cipher."
Cole looks surprised, "Really? Demons huh? I dunno. I guess I don't have the confidence you do. From what I heard in the reports, it was the demons that killed our knights, not cultists. Demons are tough."
When Cole and the others return to the main army, they find a hub of muttering, with Marcus and Sosiel conferring closely.
"Sir, if we could have a word?" Sosiel asks, and points with his chin towards one of the tents.
Marcus, far removed from his normally affable self, nods in agreement, and heads that way. Saul moves to the doorway, while Laina lounges inconspicuously nearby.
Eli tries to read his friends for further signs of distress, without starting a discussion, as it seems ill-timed.
His mind begins to sift through ways of bringing his gifts to bear on what seems to be an impending conflict.
Eli moves to Cole's side, before Cole enters. "If you don't mind, I'd like to accompany you inside. There is something here that bears scrutiny, and I will not be satisfied with a secondhand account."
Cole works his way through the camp and readily responds to Sosiel, "Of course, what can I do for you?"
He wonders what has the group spooked and suspects he is not going to like the answer. He joins Sosiel and Marcus into the tent, along with anyone else who cares to join.
Serra follows Cole into the tent, just because he's there and curious.
"Captain, Marcus and I, and a few others set up Triage after those of you that went to take the buildings left. We healed those that seemed most dire, and moved those that we thought could wait here, to rest. When we returned, every single one of them was dead. No one saw anyone enter, nor anyone leave." Clearly upset, Sosiel paces. Nearby, Marcus glowers.
Cole looks for tracks, or perhaps some evidence of a small flying invisible creature, within the room.
He leans in, careful not to touch them as yet, and tries to determine the cause of death of the three knights.
He waves the others back into the chamber and shares what, if anything, he discovered.
Eli stares at the bodies, then at Marcus. He finds his sympathy, then helps Cole assess the dead.
He consults with the unfortunate leader, then turns to Sosiel. "Do we know of anyone within our collective that can reach through the Veil, and speak with these dead men to identify their murderers? Surely your goddess would facilitate that?"
Turning back to Cole, Eli shakes his head. "What are we thinking? Traitor in our midst? Are we going to let this stand?"
Serra's face moves to a snarl if incredulity.
"Dead, are you sure!? That doesn't make sense! Did they take poison? How did they die?" Serra poses.
Beagan has a thing or two on his mind he wants to share with Cole, and was told he was seen entering the triage tent.
"Dead, are you sure!? That doesn't make sense! Did they take poison? How did they die?"
"Who would take poison? Cultists would have to be promised something very spectacular in death to end the struggle to fulfill their passions in this life." And then he spots the bodies of three knights who decidedly do not look like cultists "Oh. OH! By the Big R', they wouldn't. They couldn't!"
"It is as if their wounds were reopened. The only "poison" that I can tell is the sleeping draught we sent in with the initiates to help them sleep. But every one of them has what we took for a minor wound that has been reopened that has bled out."