"No!" Barked Orlando at Raven's suggestion.
"I'm sorry. I am sorry beyond words that those creatures have befouled this proud citadel, and I'm especially sorry about your family Aeron; but we cannot dally until we seize the wardstone!
"Any delay can permit the enemy to move the stone elsewhere out of reach, and render our sacrifices to be in vain.
"We must press on!"
Now that combat had ended and the mists had receded, Varn once again was able to get a glimpse at the horrible effigy of Gods only know what. He can feel a terrible fury building inside of him at what happened to the good people of Kenabres... True they dwelt within the walls of a fortress inside the Worldwound, but there is nothing that could justify this.
He moves to assist Aeron with arranging the dead until the giant of a man suddenly stops upon seeing what Varn could only assume was the body of his mother. The wizard never knew his own parents, they had both perished long ago alone in the Worldwound on some secret mission for the Riftwardens... He suddenly wondered if they had also met such a terrible end.
He walks over and places a hand on Aeron's shoulder. "I am sorry my friend, if only we had come here first instead of the library. We may have been able to save her... For that I'm am so very sorry..."
Aeron rises to his feet. Turning to Varn, "Thank you my friend, but Orlando is right. Tears come later. Now is the time for blood."
Ah before I forget, did anyone take the holy symbols from the alchemist?
They are covered in a potent contact poison. Please roll a fort save.
There is one last chamber not checked here. It used to be the quarters of the high priest but it has been converted into an alchemist lab.
The alchemical equipment on the table consists of a masterwork alchemy lab,but the contents of the plain-looking sword case are likely of more interest. Inside the case you find a sword. One that Irabeth recognizes.
"My father's sword?!? But how? why?"
You find a note
I believe you will find the enclosed
weapon to be a singular and familiar delight,
for it once belonged to your old "friend"
Irabeth. She sold it to Kandro Nyserian, of
all people—I’ve no idea why. Kandro’s been
sitting on it for years—still would be,
except his home got smashed by an Ulkreth.
Shame. He managed to save the sword and
came here, begging for an escort north to
Drezen, doubtless so he could give you the
sword and weasel some cash to help him set
up a new home. I hope you don’t begrudge a
creativity I took—our friend Nyserian serves
now as a warm suit for a vermlek as punishment
for only revealing the sword now instead of
when he first acquired it. I suspect the blade
will take to your brother's touch nicely!
your loyal servant,
Othirubo
"My adoptive father's sword is a powerful demon-slaying blade if one of you would like to use it for this battle you are welcome to it, otherwise I would wield it myself.
"Swordplay is not my forte, Lady Irabeth, and it seems it belongs to you anyway. I would encourage you to use it." says Raven looking about the rest of the alchemy lab for anything of value or use.
As her companions regroup, Tessai mostly stands guard for their safety, casually tossing a look at the multiple and valuable loot they have come across - These will be very useful for our endeavors, and even if not personally, it will contribute to the war effort - she ponders.
In spite of the danger they face, everything seems to be in place, but the tiefling turns around, spinning on her heels -"What?" - she stares at all of you intensely, then at the magnificent sword in hand, and finally around the room - "There is something else here, more than meets the eye" - she whispers as if speaking to herself, moving towards a wall and placing a hand upon it - "The Arms of Iomedae" - cryptic words escape Tessai's lips.
Varn nods at Aeron before following the rest as they continue on. Orlando was right, they needed to continue on and deal with the violation later. The wizard eyeballs the alchemy set with interest as they enter the next room, though it was something he would have to return to obtain later once they complete their task.
He declines Irabeth's offer to the blade, though he notes the fine craftsmanship of the longsword. "While I would appreciate such a fine blade, Lady Irabeth, I cannot in good conscious take your father's blade. You should wield it in the coming battle."
He spins suddenly at Tessai's cryptic phrases... He searches his knowledge of the gods to see if he knows anything about which Tessai speaks; The Arms of Iomedae...
Orlando inspects the blade and smiled at Irabeth.
"It is a magnificent blade milady; but I would be mediocre at best at wielding such a sword. Surely it would be better used in your hands?"
He gives Irabeth a penetrating look.
"I wonder. Is it random fortune, or... the will of the gods that your path should cross this sword of your fathers at this time and this place, with us all on this heroic mission?"
As Tessai speaks the words "The arms of Iomedea" out loud a section of the wall were Tessai was looking opens up.
Stairs going to into the basement open.
you go down and find an armory. This chamber is free of dust. A holy symbol of Iomedae hangs unmolested on the wall above a weapon rack filled with swords, crossbows, and spears. Three wooden dummies wear pristine suits of armor. A shelf holds several leather quivers, each stamped with a golden sun. Two silver shields hang from pegs on the wall.
The weapon racks here contains three masterwork cold iron longswords, two masterwork cold iron shortswords, two heavy crossbows, a composite longbow (+2 Str), a masterwork cold iron heavy mace, two cold iron longspears, 50 cold iron crossbow bolts, 100 cold iron arrows, a +1 cold iron longsword, 5 +1 holy arrows, and an arrow of evil outsider slaying.
The armor dummies hold two sets of masterwork chainmail and a +1 breastplate emblazoned with Iomedae’s holy symbol. The two heavy steel shields are both marked with the holy symbol of Iomedae. One is a masterwork shield, and the other is a +1 blinding shield.
Varn stares in awe at the sheer amount of magical auras radiating from all the magical armament in the room. He turns to look at Tessai. "The Inheritor is with you, my dear." He quickly begins to identify the magical items and rambles off their properties to the party!
A low whistle escapes the lips of Raven as the party stumbles into the armory. Already secure with her bow, she hands this fine weapon over to Varn along with 25 of the CI arrows.
She takes 25 cold iron, the magical holy arrows and the evil outsider slaying arrow for herself and leaves the rest to the group to discuss over.
Her quiver now full, Raven mumbles a prayer of thanks to the Inheritor. Following that bright light has gotten them this far, and she hopes the goddess' fortune will continue on them.
This is what it looks like when you climb the stairs. Let me know which area you would like to visit.
As the pathway opens to reveal the way to the amazing armory, Tessai's eyes gleam and she smiles.
Varn stares in awe at the sheer amount of magical auras radiating from all the magical armament in the room. He turns to look at Tessai. "The Inheritor is with you, my dear."
"She is with us Varn - that is a feeling that only grows strong as we move along. Being shown here and now is just another confirmation" - she nods at her companion, and moves along solemnly.
Moving carefully and purposefully, she reaches for the Iomedaen holy symbol, picking it up and storing it safely with her belongings.
As the group refits with the newly found gear, she adds - "This is a blessing my friends, and one that will help us in our endeavors. Even what is not of immediate use to us, will surely aid the Defender's Heart, where I am sure we can trade it"
Once they are ready to move along to the upper floor, she nods at their scouts, waiting for their check and feedback.
Moving quietly as she can up the stairs with bow drawn, Raven moves to the door to Room #2. She turns and scans the rest of the hallway first making sure it is enemy-free. If nothing unusual appears, she will listen at the door for any sounds beyond.
If she hears nothing, she will motion the others to the door, and open it, bow ready to shoot an apparent enemy.
Irabeth is too impressed by the armory.
"I had heard that there were a dozen or so such stashes in town but I wasn't privy to their locations. Take what you can use of course but I would appreciate if you would donate the rest to the eagle watch. We have a shortage of cold iron weapons."
"Of course" - Tessai nods.
Orlando looked around and nodded at the door to room 2. He hefted his heavy crossbow experimentally.
Varn gladly replaces the mongrelman morningstar for a much more elegant weapon... a magical cold iron blade. He also takes a quiver of the cold iron arrows, and the well crafted bow. He leaves behind his old bow to be given over to bolster the forces of Kenabres.
Once he was prepared he follows behind the others, his new acquired wand in his left hand and his new longsword in his right. "I am ready, let us finish this."
You open the door and find a room with stacks of scrolls, books, maps, and more sit atop a large hexagonal table in this room. The walls are painted with detailed maps of Sarkoris, over which features of the Worldwound have
been painted.
Four cultist three humans and a dwarf are in the room wearing strange green armor.
They appear to be in the process of looting the room when you enter.
You get a surprise round, post your action and roll init.
Tessai steps into the room and towards them - "State your business, and do not raise your weapons, else you will be put down in the Inheritor's name" - she urges them, ready to attack the first one that tries an aggressive movement.
Surprise:
Readies crossbow, backing Tessai's play.
Surprise Round
Aeron moves into the room, murder in his eyes.
The cultist react as you would expect and shout "For lord Deskari!" and attack. the closest human and the dwarf move to attack with their scythes while the two in the back reach for crossbows.
You get your readied actions and pretty sure everyone except Aeron is before them.
Surprise
Varn shakes his head when Tessai attempts to parley with the cultists. "No more quarters, Tessai. We send these bastards to their Lord! For Kenabres!" He prepares to advance on the room!
Round 1
Varn will stand by until an opening presents itself for him to safely enter the small room.
Readied:
Unable to get an angle for a shot, Orlando drops his crossbow with a curse. He dives/tumbles through the crowd and inbetween H1 and H2, drawing his sword at the same time.
Round 1____________
Move act: Whips his cape around to deceive H1.
Standard act: He flank attacks H1.
for a possible cold iron, piercing damage.
At the challenging words, Tessai brings to bear against one of their foes.
Round 1
"Deskari will not help you here!" - she retorts, swinging again against the dwarf.
Seeing the meeting turn into a fight, Raven targets the nearest crossbowman with deadly aim.
Skipping any action not posted.
Orlando moves into position but his attack is deflected by the cultist's armor.
Tessai moves up and lands a good blow on the dwarf and quickly follow up with a second blow. The Dwarf is hurt but still in fighting shape.
Raven takes a shot shooting one of the cultist.
Cultist H1 attacks Orlando who finds himself defending from two directions at once.
Cultist H2 drops their crossbows and reaches for his scythe and attacks Orlando.
Cultist H3 finishes loading his crossbow and fires aiming at Tessai
The dwarf reaches for his unholy symbol and channels Negative energies to harm all those in the room and shapes it to not harm himself or his comrades. Will save dc 17 for half.
You hear a loud bang as something trows it weight against the western door from the other side trying to break it down. The door cracks but holds. The banging came from the door to area 3 from my previous map.
You can all post again in any order. Aeron for round 1 and everyone else for round 2.
Round 1
Shrugging at the good fortune that caused the cultist to stand infront of him, Aeron brings his hammer down on the cultist's head:
"Should have surrendered when you had the chance."
Round 2
Varn jerks his head around when he hears the loud slam and notices the door splintering. "Hurry up in there, we are about to have company out here!"
He then takes a step to the right, allowing him line of sight to the remaining crossbowmen. He points his wand and sends two dark, shimmering balls of energy streaking across the room to impact his target!
Round 2
Raven fires again at H2 still using deadly aim, hitting him in unprotected and soft, fleshy places.
Round 2
Gritting her teeth against the wave of negative energy, Tessai again roars at the dwarf - "You should have indeed surrendered fool" - as she brings Radiance to bear against him.
Orlando manages to parry one before being slashed by the other for 8.
Fail. He takes 8 more from negative energy. He staggers at suddenly falling to less than half health.
Round 2_______________
Move act: Whips his cape in H2's face.
Standard act: He sneak attacks H2.
for a possible cold iron, piercing damage.
Aeron crushes a cultist and Tessai strikes down the dwarven cultist.
Varn magic missiles the cultist in the back and Raven shoots him.
He staggers but still stands.
Orlando misses.
The cultist in the corner reloads and shoot at Tessai again.
The other one strikes at Orlando again.
The door at the end of the hall is knocked down and a strange creature reveals itself... The creature has a stag's body, a hawk's wings and talons, and the head of a slavering wolf with a rack of sharp antlers on its brow.
Knowledge arcana to identify.
Round 3_______________
Orlando just parries the cultist counterattack.
Move act: Whips his cape around to distract H2 again.
Standard act: He sneak attacks H2.
for a possible cold iron, piercing damage.
Round 3
Tessai had not forgotten about Varn's warning, and as she moves out the door from the room, the reason is clear, and the paladin immediately moves to engage their horrific opponent.
"I do not know from which hellspawn pit you stem from, but we will send you back monstrosity!" - she roars.
It knocked down the door going into area 3 so it's off the current combat map.
I will post an expanded map a little later.
Round 3
Despite the entrance into the hallway of the horrendous beast, Raven maintains her concentration on the bowman (H2, I believe) she fired at last time. Exhaling, she releases another arrow at the man.
Rn 3
With Tessai falling back, Aeron moves to engage the other cultist (H3) and attacks:
It knocked down the door going into area 3 so it's off the current combat map.
I will post an expanded map a little later.
Round 3
Varn recoils at the sight of horrific creature as it breaks through the door, he turns to shout into the room for someone to assist he and Raven. "One of get out here now!" Thankfully Tessai appears at the same time and moves to engage the creature.
The wizard takes a moment in an attempt to identify the horrible monster! . He then points his wand at it and lets loose with two bolts of energy that fly from the wand and strike the creature hard!