"It does not matter why," Zagathoth answers the bear, "you always obey priests and nuns, its one of the rules..." As he speaks, he shifts towards the woman and raises doomcresent menacingly.
Flinching at the menacing approach of Zagathoth, she begins to weep pitifully and cowers before the hulking orc!
Oh! Please don't kill me! I beg of you! Have mercy!
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"You are the Striga Lucrezia." Lucius says coldly, unmoved by the woman's weeping. "You have served the Antichrist himself and your defeat at the hands of the Lucky Fools was a great day for Christendom! Surrender at once and we will return you to His Holiness the Pope, that he may decide your fate. If not, then God will judge you. I suggest that you take the former choice."
The Cardinal circles the witch, taking advantage of her cowering to cut off her exit from the deeper catacombs. He then moves to take her scroll, and then will remove any other containers and belt pouches (unless she tries to fight back!).
Defeated and dejected, the witch sobs, grieving for the foolish and evil choices that led her to this fate. She falls upon her knees before Cardinal Lucius, hands clasped in supplication, face streaked with tears.
I beg your mercy, Your Grace!...*sob*...I was foolish to forsake the light of goodness and truth...the way of Our Lord...I am possessed by demons, Your Grace...God has forsaken me...*sob*...I wish that I'd never been born!
"If you speak the truth then you have nothing to fear from returning with us." Lucius responds. "There are holy sisters who can help return you to the light."
Unless prevented he continues to methodically deprive the woman of anything that might help her cast spells.
A glimmer of hope appears in her brown eyes at the Cardinal's words, and she passively allows him to divest her of spell component pouches, wands, broom, haversack of scrolls and potions and whatnot...
I pray thee, Your Grace, to have mercy on my wretched and sinful soul... Perhaps you could arrange to have the demons exorcised from me? And...I could take the vows... Could I be saved, Father?
Boga listens carefully to the pleading, back and forth between Lucius and Lucrezia. He readies an action to cast Dispel Magic should she draw an item or start to cast, and looks at the Cardinal. He whispers, "We've saved no one, she's in cahoots with those devils, but... she may be possessed. However, she does not wish to be saved."
[dice=Snake AC]1d20+17
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+17
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+17
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+17
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+17Boga listens carefully to the pleading, back and forth between Lucius and Lucrezia. He readies an action to cast Dispel Magic should she draw an item or start to cast, and looks at the Cardinal. He whispers, "We've saved no one, she's in cahoots with those devils, but... she may be possessed. However, she does not wish to be saved."
Boga listens carefully to the pleading, back and forth between Lucius and Lucrezia. He readies an action to cast Dispel Magic should she draw an item or start to cast, and looks at the Cardinal. He whispers, "We've saved no one, she's in cahoots with those devils. And she is certainly not possessed. She may not be a witch or possessed, but she does not want to be saved."
Once the priest has removed the witch's belongings, and she begins pleading for her life, Zagathoth's stance slackens and he begins taken deep slow breaths. Doomcresent, however, remains at the ready.
[dice=SM]d20+18+5
Lucius listens as Boga whispers to him and nods gravely.
Cardinal Lucius knows that she is insincere, merely lying to save her evil skin...
Boga's new understanding of the universe and the gods within it is profound and has fundamentally altered his perspectives. He nods and whispers back "The enemies of God, if unrepentant, perish. They must not be allowed to weaken Him. Anything that threatens God, threatens his Gift of Salvation."
Striga Lucrezia throws herself at Lucius' feet, kissing them in a piteous display of submissive groveling! She implores Johann with wide, seductively pleading eyes...
Bitte schöen, handsome and mighty Herr Bruin! Please do not let this tragedy and travesty of justice occur! I can become a nun! I swear to GOD ON MY IMMORTAL SOUL!!
"I share Johann's concerns, Lucius. This seems awfully quick when it is a person's life upon which we are deciding!"
Seeing a glimmer of hope (a vulnerability to requests for compassion) in the merciful natures of the shapeshifters, with hearts more humane than even a noble human churchman, ironically, the devious witch seeks to sow further doubt and discord among the Crusaders...
Did Jesus not teach forgiveness, Father!? I beg of you! I can repent, if you but give me a chance! Please!!
No longer Striga Lucrezia, but SISTER REBECCA!! A NEW LIFE!! PLEASE!!
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Lucius watches the woman with cold, but sorrowful eyes. "It is the life in question. This woman has committed crimes beyond imagination. The slaughter of innocents and vile rituals. She is cunning, powerful and one of the Devil's greatest servants. If we return her to the surface and she escapes then the evil she could wreak will be incalculable. We have the chance to strike a blow for God and His Holy Church, it is His Will."
So saying the Cardinal swings his greatsword in a swift arc and into the witches back.
Lucius watches the woman with cold, but sorrowful eyes. "It is the life in question. This woman has committed crimes beyond imagination. The slaughter of innocents and vile rituals. She is cunning, powerful and one of the Devil's greatest servants. If we return her to the surface and she escapes then the evil she could wreak will be incalculable. We have the chance to strike a blow for God and His Holy Church, it is His Will."
So saying the Cardinal swings his greatsword in a swift arc and into the witches back.
[dice=CDG]4d6+6+4+6+2d6
Dies Irae falls and the Striga Lucrezia is slain, her spine severed!
She shrieks and collapses, her body lifeless, her soul cut free to plunge into the fires of the Pit!
The Fox gasps, his right hand reaching out reflexively, but then dropping limply to his side as he sees that the Cardinal has seen his sentencing carried out.
"Lucius...I hope you are certain of your judgement, for I cannot be." After a long moment staring into the now-dead eyes of this woman, the Fox looks up again at his companions and steels his gaze.
"Where do we go from here? There are still two injured young girls behind us, forced to linger in this abominable place for as long as we tarry. We dispatched those devils and this...witch...with efficacy, but we must remember that is not our lives only that we risk here. Perhaps it is time to return those girls to their families, and this woman's body to the authorities above for examination."
Uncritically confident in the rightness of the Cardinal’s judgment, the orc stows his blade and remains uninvolved in any debates. Once the witch has been checked one last time for any more magical items, he tosses her corpse off the bridge into the acid, and does the same with the devils.
Uncritically confident in the rightness of the Cardinal’s judgment, the orc stows his blade and remains uninvolved in any debates. Once the witch has been checked one last time for any more magical items, he tosses her corpse off the bridge into the acid, and does the same with the devils.
The Crusaders loot several items that Quinlan detects as magical: a headband, a ring, a broom, a haversack, bracers, her gown, and several potions, scrolls, and wands found in her haversack.
Although it may have seemed ruthless or merciless to some, Cardinal Lucius' stern judgement has prevented a greater evil from having the chance to occur: the resurrection of the six villainous Hounds of Hell, which would have robbed God Himself of His judgement upon them by freeing their evil souls from Hell.
Though perspective makes the old inquisitor seem harsh and unforgiving here and now, from a wider perspective, he did what he had to do to prevent God's justice from being perverted by evil magic.
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"Lucius...I hope you are certain of your judgement, for I cannot be." After a long moment staring into the now-dead eyes of this woman, the Fox looks up again at his companions and steels his gaze.
"Where do we go from here? There are still two injured young girls behind us, forced to linger in this abominable place for as long as we tarry. We dispatched those devils and this...witch...with efficacy, but we must remember that is not our lives only that we risk here. Perhaps it is time to return those girls to their families, and this woman's body to the authorities above for examination."
"To take a life is always a burden Brother Fox, not all our enemies do the Antichrist's work in plain sight such as demons. This act has bought me no please, but that woman was the Striga Lucrezia - one of the famed Hounds of Hell. Had we been able to return her to the surface she would have faced death by burning for her crimes. This end was at least swift."
With the witches treasures gathered and the bodies disposed of Lucius agrees with the wisdom of Ogon Fox. "We should return to the surface. We have the girls to think of and we have struck great blows against the evil one here. I fear that further in can only be greater evil, a power such that it can command demons and a Hell Witch feared for her life. We are not ready for such a threat."
Unless anyone objects the Cardinal leads the group upwards to collect the two young women from the vampires feasting area. With them safely in tow he nods to Quinlain and prepares himself for the rush of teleportation magic.
Quinlan agrees with Cardinal Lucius and Ogon Fox, and retrieves the scroll of teleport from his pack, unravels it, instructs everyone to grab onto him, and reads the magic script aloud, adding the sanctuary of Saint Peter's Basilica as a destination,and the Crusaders are transported by conjuration magic to the safety of the sanctuary, along with the two maidens!
Feeling the unease brought on by Lucius' actions, Boga feels the need to speak out. As he begins, his halo gives a faint light. "Everyone, do not doubt, do not fear the path we are upon. Our Lord and Savior has promised all believers salvation and the right to enter Heaven to live eternally with Him." His voice rises and his halo brightens as he speaks, "What other god loves his children so and grants them such honor and promise?" He looks intently at the others, particularly Johann and Ogon, "Look at those 2 young girls. Remember the infant, infant, cast into the fire! We have seen the evil, the utterly pernicious acts taken by the enemies of God. Our God is good! Those who seek to undermine His will, those who seek to undermine his promise Must Not Succeed! They endanger our God. They endanger his Holy plan for us. They seek personal power over the Greater Good, individual aggrandizement over the salvation of millions. They actually seek to bring down our God at the cost of Salvation for All to advance themselves only!" Boga's eyes are wide and his face has flushed, "We must not allow this! All believers in Christ, all who wish to live with the Most High God eternally must unite! Our Lord has chosen us, given us gifts to ensure His Will is Done. We Shall Not Fail!" He drops to one knee, crosses himself, and lifts up the hand around his neck. By now, his halo is almost blinding, yet it does not hurt to look upon him. "Look at the sacrifices already made! God expects nothing less from us! And we shall give it to Him or perish in the attempt! This Striga Lucrezia served the very Antichrist against whom we struggle in the Name of Our Father. She was not repentant, lying to the very end. For her, there is no promise." He rises and straightens his robes. The intensity of his halo gradually lessens. "Are we clear?"
Zagathoth nods along with the healer's speech, but turns his attention to the naked young women. "Do you like making sex?" he asks somewhat quietly, "I like making sex but I haven't been able to do it since this morning. My lady is really good at it, and she's not married. If you're not married you can join us when we get back if you want. I'm getting very good at it too."
When it becomes clear that the healer is looking for some kind of response at the end if his speech, the orc crosses himself and answers, "Amén."
Zagathoth nods along with the healer's speech, but turns his attention to the naked young women. "Do you like making sex?" he asks somewhat quietly, "I like making sex but I haven't been able to do it since this morning. My lady is really good at it, and she's not married. If you're not married you can join us when we get back if you want. I'm getting very good at it too."
When it becomes clear that the healer is looking for some kind of response at the end if his speech, the orc crosses himself and answers, "Amén."
The two teenagers are too traumatized to entertain the notion of carnal play with the hulking orc at the moment, and they repeatedly praise Jesus and the Crusaders for their salvation. They are taken into the care of His Holiness, Pope Eugenius IV, who sees that they are bathed, their wounds treated, clothed, fed, and given sanctuary to recover from their harrowing ordeal.
The Holy Father is greatly relieved to hear that Striga Lucrezia has been dealt with, and that the plot to resurrect the Hounds of Hell has been foiled by the Crusaders of the Catacombs...
Praise be to God! Hallelujah! Hossanah in the highest! Well done, Crusaders! Very well done indeed! You have prevented a great evil from occurring, and have dealt a crippling blow to the Serpent of Evil that is the Church of Lucifer! May God Almighty bless you, and guard you from all harm! In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen!
Bestowing upon each of the Crusaders the sign of the cross doused with holy water from a vial, followed by burning frankincense swung at them in a thurible, Pope Eugenius bestows upon the Crusaders a new blessing...
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Earlier
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Johann nods unhappily at the memory of the baby who was thrown into the fire. "I SHALL NOT FORGET THAT EVIL. IT BURNED ME TO THE CORE. BOGA, FATHER LUCIUS, YOU DID THE RIGHT THING. I APOLOGIZE FOR MY SLOWNESS TO ACCEPT THE TRUTH, BUT YOU DID THE RIGHT THING."
As Johann says it though, he still feels a sadness inside. Righteous battle is one thing, but an execution never sits well. Still, good prevailed and the Cardinal's justice was the proper thing to do.
The Crusaders spend the rest of Thursday, 18 January, recounting their adventures against the dragon, the puzzle chamber, the vampires, the devils and the witch to Pope Eugenius and the elfin Dame of Griffons, Tringelda, both of which are spellbound by the harrowing accounts told by the heroes.
Tringelda embraces Ogon Fox as he relays his merciful sentiments regarding the striga's execution, smiling with adoration, and kisses him passionately on his fox-like mouth, which seems repulsive to Johann, and reminds Zagathoth of his many questions about interspecies fornication again!
I am so glad that you are a merciful hero, my dear Herr Fox! Our world needs more of your kind, Foxy!
The Holy Father gazes with obvious admiration at Cardinal Lucius as he describes his "exorcism" of the barbed devils Gristlechops and Barbagore, at the end of Dies Irae, and with the help of the other Crusaders.
The Lord is truly working through you, Lucius... You, and the other Crusaders... He is using you as his mighty sword of vengeance! Great is our God, and great are his champions!
Zagathoth can hear pigeons that roost in Saint Peter's Church talking to one another up in the flying buttresses and other cathedral architecture, and understands what they are saying!
Food? Food? Food? Sex? Sex? Sex?
Ya! Ya! Ya! Ya! Ya! Ya! ... But first make poop on humans?
No! No! No! No! No! No! ... Poop on humans, humans throw rocks and shoot arrows!
Quinlan takes it upon himself to request more scrolls of teleport from the library of the Castle Sant'Angelo from His Holiness, and spends the remainder of the day eating, resting, and meditating to restore his magical potential for spellcasting.
The Holy Father replies to Quinlan's request for more scrolls of teleport: I will see that several such scrolls are secured for your use, Mister Ifrean, but it may take as long as a week to gather or scribe them.
The Holy Father replies to Quinlan's request for more scrolls of teleport: I will see that several such scrolls are secured for your use, Mister Ifrean, but it may take as long as a week to gather or scribe them.
We shall need them to enter or exit the lower catacombs from now on, Your Holiness... The horned tiefling bows in a show of reverence...
The Holy Father replies to Quinlan's request for more scrolls of teleport: I will see that several such scrolls are secured for your use, Mister Ifrean, but it may take as long as a week to gather or scribe them.We shall need them to enter or exit the lower catacombs from now on, Your Holiness... The horned tiefling bows in a show of reverence...
Then you shall have as many as can be possibly assembled, as soon as possible, my son!
Zagathoth does his best to seem patient while he waits for all the talking at the Vatican to be over, but his mind continually turns to what awaits him at the palazzo.
”CoooOoOoOoO, coooOOO, Cooo,” he suddenly calls out.
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"Holy Father, you honour us with your praise." Lucius bows in front of the Pope but his grim, strangely golden face does not show pleasure. "I fear the evil that can be found below Rome is far worse than we suspected. The Striga Lucrezia, a powerful acolyte of Hell, was imprisoned and apparently about to be executed. That can only have been at the command of one of Hell's great powers, maybe even the Anti-Christ himself. We slew a dragon, the two vampires who plagued our fair city seven years hence, and the Striga as well as two barbed devils, but if these are the guards then I fear greatly what we will face further on. We may need reinforcements to return to the underground."
"Holy Father, you honour us with your praise." Lucius bows in front of the Pope but his grim, strangely golden face does not show pleasure. "I fear the evil that can be found below Rome is far worse than we suspected. The Striga Lucrezia, a powerful acolyte of Hell, was imprisoned and apparently about to be executed. That can only have been at the command of one of Hell's great powers, maybe even the Anti-Christ himself. We slew a dragon, the two vampires who plagued our fair city seven years hence, and the Striga as well as two barbed devils, but if these are the guards then I fear greatly what we will face further on. We may need reinforcements to return to the underground."
Yes, Lucius, it would seem that reinforcements are in order... I have been in communication with Henry, Prince of Portugal, a devout champion of the Church. He has in his service a band of formidable adventurers known as the Desert Jackals, which have been combating the forces of evil in far Africa of late, striking against the Arab Slave Trade... Though that is a noble cause, we have greater need of their might here, fighting against the Church of Lucifer... I shall do what I can to bolster your strength, as soon as possible, Cardinal Lucius.
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"Might I have your permission, Holy Father, to write to Spain? My nephew, a young man in service to the Archbishop of Seville, is a paladin of devotion and great faith. If he could be brought here I trust he will add strength to our forces."
He pauses, "These Desert Jackals sound like a formidable force Holy Father. Their aid will be most welcome I have no doubt! In the meantime Holy Father, might I speak with your confessor? My heart is troubled after the meeting with the Striga."