Looking about for any water source, Raven grabs her sleeping blanket from her backpack and begins trying to smother flames which are burning the books, and likely, the old men.
You quickly realize that this isn't going to work. The alchemist started a large fire and it's quickly spreading.
You think you can get the old men out quickly enough that they wont be hurt and if you hurry you might be able to save a few books but only magic could stop this fire now.
With Tessai and Aeron capable of handling the tieflings, Varn rushes to assist Raven with saving the old men! "Hurry, we must save them! Tessai, Aeron... deal with them!" He points at the tieflings as he rushes towards the pile of books and begins pushing the pile over to get to the old men.
"The choice was yours" - Tessai stares at the man as he falls down.
There are two tieflings left they run for the back it seems that with their leader down they intend to escape.
Seeing the cultists making to escape, Aeron moves to the burgeoning pyre.
"Let the fools flee, they'll get their's soon enough. Save the librarians and the books"
Ignoring the flames that lick at him, he starts to kick apart the fire, trying to save the men and books both.
Orlando quickly runs over to the old men and starts cutting them free.
You let the tieflings escape and get the old men out safely and even manage to find a few books.
One book stands out to Varn he picks it up and realizes it is a badly damaged spellbook. Several spells are still intact.
You have done what you can here and it is time to return to the heart and prepare for tomorrow.
The journey back is uneventful.
Tessai assists in rescuing what can be saved from the fire, first the captives and then whatever books are still salvageable.
She drags outside the man they took down, stripping the armor from him - "You are not worthy of this" - she adds, packing it, and intent on returning it to their allies once they have returned.
The false crusader carried a +1 heavy mace, a masterwork banded mail and a light steel shield. He also had 29 gold on him.
The spellbook is badly damaged but several spells survived.
It still contains: alarm, dismissal, dispel magic, magic circle against chaos, resist energy, versatile weapon and dimensional lock.
You have around 14 hours to rest before the attack on the cultist base.
Let me know what you do and we will begin the final chapter of book 1.
Orlando will eat, rest and relax; perhaps reading a play.
If there is time, he would like to buy several thunderstones, smokesticks, alchemists fire, acid flasks and powder.
He will stretch a little before heading out.
It still contains: alarm, dismissal, dispel magic, magic circle against chaos, resist energy, versatile weapon and dimensional lock.
You can sell that spellbook for about 3500 gold
Tessai takes the respite opportunity to gather her companions - "It seems we keep running from one end to the other" - she starts, after arranging for some ale to be shared between them - "There is still so much that needs to be done, and it seems we never had the opportunity to speak to each other since we met under Kenabres" - she raises her mug - "I want to offer a toast to all of you my friends - none of the things we have accomplished thus far would be possible without our combined efforts" - she smiles - "Before I lose the chance to say it - here's to your valor, and a long life!"
Upon their return, Varn immediately seeks out his new mentor and explains the situation at the library. He also informs him of the spellbook and requests the chance to learn what he can from it.
After speaking with Aravashial, Varn will find someplace quiet where he can attempt to copy some of the spells from the demented dwarf wizard they encountered in the caves below....
Several hours later Varn sets aside the books, rubbing his eyes. He successfully transcribed most of the dwarven spells into his own spellbook. 'This Blur spell will come in most handy, I believe.'
You rest up and the next day a meeting is held. Adalric is present as well as Irabeth, Quednys and Aravashial.
Quednys is the speaker when everyone is seated he begins.
"As horrific as recent events have been, we've come to realize that they are, in fact, merely a prelude. The razing of the Kite, the destruction of our wardstone, Terendelev’s murder, and the assault on the city were nothing more than opening gambits. The Worldwound is on the march in a more concentrated assault than we've seen since the fall of Drezen. It’s fair to say the Lord of the Locust Host is finally making his move. The end of this hundred-year-war is upon us, and it falls to us to ensure victory. While the Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth were scattered, those who serve the Lord of the Locust Host himself remain concentrated in Old Kenabres. What we've heard from within the barricade they've erected is ominous. The cultists are waiting for something, and based on our own information and what you've managed to recover so far, it sounds like the vile witch Areelu Vorlesh will soon be coming to Kenabres. And it appears that we've determined what she intends to do. When the wardstone was destroyed by the Storm King, it exploded and destroyed the Kite. The network along the border failed, but did not fade completely. I believe this is because a significant
portion of our wardstone still exists, and that the cultists have taken it to the old garrison in Old Kenabres. From what we’ve learned, they’re
hoping to engineer a way to somehow reverse the field generated by the wardstones—essentially, to use our own greatest defense as a devastating weapon. The attack on Kenabres had a predictable result: causing the crusade to gather at the border to defend it. Some wonder why the demons haven’t attacked in stronger numbers. I believe that Areelu was counting on us massing along the border, and that if she can corrupt the wardstone field, she can strike a devastating blow against us all. In effect, we’ve lined up for the slaughter. Vorlesh is surely seeking some object of great Abyssal power, likely the Nahyndrian crystal mentioned in the missive you recovered, and with it she intends to turn the source of our hope into an unimaginable nightmare. We cannot hope to evacuate everyone from the border—I doubt they would give up the defensive line even if they knew what the enemy planned. But we can still stop this from happening—we just need to have someone infiltrate the Gray Garrison, locate the wardstone fragment, and destroy it. We have chosen you for this task. The garrison is surrounded by nearly a hundred cultists and demons, we will trow everything we have at them in a frontal assault that will be a distraction while you go inside and destroy the fragment."
An opening gambit, the loss of Kenabres' most treasured guarding... - Tessai ponders with a somber look in her eyes, but is quickly shaken from her musings by the dire news.
"Could that even be done? Using the Wardstone, or part of it, against us? What sort of effect would it have on the men and women fighting at the borders?" - she inquires.
"But we can still stop this from happening—we just need to have someone infiltrate the Gray Garrison, locate the wardstone fragment, and destroy it. We have chosen you for this task. The garrison is surrounded by nearly a hundred cultists and demons, we will trow everything we have at them in a frontal assault that will be a distraction while you go inside and destroy the fragment."
"You can count on me Lord Quednys, and I believe I speak for all of us?" - she turns to her companions with a smile, but waiting for their confirmation, not wanting to step out of bounds.
I go with these others," says Raven in a timid voice. "For if the city falls, then what is to keep the demons from ravaging the rest of the world including my home? We have made a good team so far, so I will stand with Tessai and the rest of you on this mission."
The girl, unused to public speeches, then steps behind the others, abashed.
Tessai smiles at Raven, offering a respectful nod at the capable ranger.
A scrawny Aasimar speaks up softly from the back of the room. "I'm no warrior - learned the hard way that combat isn't for me. But if what you say is true, I'd like to help if you'd let me. I'm a healer.... From what I've heard, you're more than capable of taking care of yourselves. Probably don't want to have to deal with me... But I want to help."
"I know you would have liked Selka for this task but she has joined up with her former unit and will be taking part in the frontal attack. Adalric here volunteered to take her place and heal your injuries if needed."
Aeron eyeballs the newcomer and then offers his hand in greeting. "I'm Aeron, welcome aboard. I tend to get hit...a lot, so your skills will be much appreciated."
Turning his attention back to matter at hand, "Seems as good a plan as any. Rumour has it that the cultists have been taking captives there as well, so we might have a chance of saving a few more townsfolk as well."
Orlando greets 'Adalric with his most charming smile.
"Welcome to our Company madame!" He flourishes a bow.
He retrieves a wand from his sash.
"I assume you will be able to use this to good effect? I am often engaged too hotly to be using it on those of us who need it." "Like Aeron." He whispered aside with a wink.
Orlando blinks at the correction, then squints a little as he looks at 'Adalric a little closer.
"Oh, ah, terribly sorry sir." He walks away horribly embarrassed and wondering if he needs glasses.
A scrawny Aasimar speaks up softly from the back of the room. "I'm no warrior - learned the hard way that combat isn't for me. But if what you say is true, I'd like to help if you'd let me. I'm a healer.... From what I've heard, you're more than capable of taking care of yourselves. Probably don't want to have to deal with me... But I want to help."
Tessai turns to face the newcomer as Irabeth introduces him - "Well met Adalric - I am Tessai" - the tiefling bows, her tail calmly swaying - "As Aeron as just said we have been meeting a very strong opposition - they seem well organized and with intent. It will be of great help if you are indeed to join us. Thank you"
She then turns back to the others with a smile - "It seems we are all in agreement then" - than back at Irabet and Quednys - "We will take on this task, and see it followed through to the best of our abilities - is there any further information that can be provided regarding the current state of the Gray Garrison? I believe we will need all the tactical advantage we can muster" - Tessai adds - "But if not, I believe we are ready to move out?" - she inquires of her companions.
Adalric returns everyone's greetings and gratefully accepts Orlando's wand. "Well met, everyone. I may not be a warrior, but I'm regarded as an excellent medic. You're in good hands. I just need to gather my kit, and I'll be ready to go."
You have been given a chance to rest and you the next morning everyone capable of fighting at the defenders heart with the exception of a dozen guards move to attack the grey garrison.
You slip to the side and wait for the attack to begin.
The Eagle Watch charge out and engage the cultist and the bloody melee begins. Before long all the cultist and demon forces have abandoned their posts to engage the crusaders.
Taking advantage of the distraction you make you way to the entrance to the grey garrison. You think you're home free when before you stand
Two hideously obese, naked men armed with scythes guard the Gray Garrison’s entrance. Succeeding at DC 15 Knowledge (local or nobility) check is enough to identify one of the men as a rotund version of Kandro Nyserian, and you all recognize the other as a bloated version of Lord Hulrun. A hero and the leader of Kenabres! He was the one giving the speech at the ceremony when the attack began.
They haven't noticed you yet, you have cover and they are 80 feet away. Moving from cover to cover you might be able to get whitin 40 feet but there is no cover beyond that.
Orlando quietly makes his way under cover to within 40 feet of the naked guards, readies his crossbow, then waits for the signal to kick off.
"Those are Kandro Nyserian and Lord Hulrun..." - Tessai whispers, a surprised look on her face - "They are prominent and respected personalities of Kenabres... Lord Hulrun is a hero! What is happening here..?"
This is what Hulrun looked like the last time you saw him.
"I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's something to do with demons. They've no respect for the dead. Let's put these monstrosities down and once this mess is over we can see that they receive the proper burial they deserve."
Aeron uses his dragon scale to enchant his weapon and advances.
"Wait Aeron, we should let Raven and Orlando start the..." - the words die in her mouth as the warrior moves ahead.
She decides to cast a protective spell on herself, and follow him.
Oh, Gods, it's starting...Iomedae, grant me strength...
Adalric keeps his guard up and follows the warriors.
As Aeron and Tessai approach the guards stir and moves to attack but they are slow and only make it to the edge of the area were the cover ends.
Will post map a bit later go ahead and post init and round 1 actions.
They are really close to Tessai, Orlando and Aeron (like 10 feet away)
Aeron wades into combat, mighty hammer swinging:
Raven takes the time to line up a good shot, releasing an cold-iron arrow at what used to be Lord Hulrun.
Orlando pops out and unloads in the left guard.
against his hopefully flatfooted AC for a possible piercing damage.
Tessai wades in ahead of Aeron, bolstered by divine protection, and swings at one of the creatures without hesitation - Apologies milord - she voices an inward apology, attacking the one who was once a hero for the city.
Varn prepares to examine the situation; however, the impatient Aeron suddenly rushes forward with his hammer, leaving Varn behind to scramble to retrieve his wand from his belt and protect himself with magical force armor!
Adalric readies his longspear as he carefully follows his aggressive comrades.
Orlando fires and hits but his attack has no effect on the creature.
(hit ac but doesn't bypass DR)
Tessai rushes forward and slices into the creature Radiance cuts trough it's thick skin causing a gaping wound revealing what appears to be a black worm like creature coiled inside.
Raven shoots but her arrow bounces off the thick hide.
(miss because of natural armor)
The creatures unleash a torrent of negative energy at you.
(Both casting mass inflict light wounds hitting everyone)
Roll 2 will saves dc 16 for half.
Aeron lands a powerful blow crushing the creature that used to be Nyserian and a large(medium size but big for a worm) black worm-like creature escape from the body at the last moment. The creature is wounded but it escaped the worst of the blow.
Varn cast mage armor on himself to protect himself.
Adalric stands by in case he is needed.
You can all post again.
Varn lets out a scream of pain as the negative energy washes over him! He stumbles back away from the rest of the group (30 ft. away from the worms). He quickly fires two magical bolts of black energy at the worm that escaped from the fallen husk!
Grimacing in pain, Adalric presents his holy symbol and lets the healing light of Iomedae wash over his companions.
"Ahh!! What vileness is this? Die foul creature!"
The paladin cringes against the onslaught of negative energy, able to stave off most of its effects. Just seconds later she can feel the holy power of her Oracle companion mending her wounds as if they were never there.
She smiles and turns a nod of thanks at Adalric, then focusing on the monstrosity still standing, and the vileness of the worm like creature that seems to dwell within it.
"Foul indeed friend Aeron, as if they were inhabiting the bodies of these who we once knew" - she returns Aeron's indignation while swinging
Save! Takes 5
Fail. Takes 7
Then Adalric's positive energy washes over him, healing 8.
Staggering under the wave of blackness, Orlando shakes it off with Adalric's healing influence and moves up to the righthand guard drawing his sword along the way.
He tumbled into a flanking position (if available).
He slashes at the fat demonic guard.
for a possible slashing and cold iron damage.