"That armor fits you well Garith - it is fitting that you are wearing it" - the monk bows before his companion - "I feel I am not out of place by saying it is surely Iomedae's will"
---
"We go south" - Zeriax offers then, moving away in silence.
"My spells are running low, I say this not to complain, though I'm sure I sound like it, but so you know about my resources in tactical considerations."
A consensus made the group hurries to the south to investigate the last area that remains this side of the rubble. Moving closer to the area you can hear the unmistakable sound of stuff being destroyed in a fit of anger as things crash against the walls. There is no voices or intelligible speech, just grunts of exertion.
Nasira moves to the tough dwarf and starts calling on Sarenrae's aid even as he feels the bruises start to tighten up.
Before she responds to the paladin, she closes her eyes and considers the goddess' power remaining.
"I still have some power remaining. Try not to fall for any more fake banners and we should be fine." The uncharacteristic jibe is delivered with a straight face, but her eyes sparkle with mirth.
Maelchar, being the least mighty of the warrior types, moves to the door the sounds are coming from. When all the fighter types (Garith, Morgrym, Irabeth, Zeriax) indicate they are ready for him to open it, he does so hurriedly so they can try to surprise the occupant(s) of the chamber.
The doors resist being opened until Zeriax moves closer and deftly unlocks them both. Stepping back he indicates that now all things are ready for you to commence opening the doors.
Dozens of destroyed beds fill this wide room, jammed together with little space between them. A dozen decapitated human bodies lie in a heap to the west, while a dozen human heads sit to the east. On the south side of the room is a disheveled female with a greatsword dripping in blood in 1 hand and the other holds what seems to be a piece of bed in the other. At her feet lies an empty vial. Looking up as the door opens You killed them! They died bymy blade, but you killed them! Lord Staunton will stay his hand if I give him your heads!
Nasira
Maelchar
Pakak
Zeriax
Morgrym
Sir Garith
Jestak
The sight of the destruction turns her stomach, but Nasira responds to the woman.
"Who were they? Who are you?"
"Listen to the good paladin... no need for hostilities."
She looks at you hesitantly but the sword stays up in her hand even though she does not move to attack.
Pakak positions himself between the woman and Maranse , to keep the latter from falling back into old habits. He also looks her over for signs of heraldry or association or the like, the better to place her or the fallen.
"It is a chance for parley" - Zeriax adds to the woman - "You should take it"
Pakak, based on the number of rings on her arms you think she is or was a high standing member of a Shoati barbarian tribe. What lead her here or exactly how important you can't tell for sure though.
As most of the questions seem to come from Nasira or Garith it is to them that she answer mainly but her eyes take in all of you looking for weaknesses to tactically exploit. The name is Jestak and these scattered about the room were in charge of the batteries of bolt throwers on the battlements. When you wre victorious on the field of battle I knew it was only a matter of time before you sought entrance to the Citadel. I sacrificed these men in the hope thatLord Staunton would sho me clemency and spare my life. You say you have vanquished demons. I spit on your accomplishments as until I see Staunton Vhane's head seperated from his shoulders he is my leige.
Through all of this though she does not advance to attack. Instead she holds herself in position with head held high waiting to see who approaches and in what manner.
You realize in your studies that Staunton Vhane must have defeated her in solo combat to make him her leige lord. If someone defeats Vhane in single combat then she would follow that person. If a group defeats Stanton then she is released from her self bound obligation.
"Hold, Jestrak of the Shoanti. I know enough of your ways to know how you now feel bound to Vhane. Vhane's treason is known. It is not right that you should be tied to one so dishonorable. Tell us where he is so one of our champions might best him in single combat so you might have more noble lord, or perhaps, our group at least defeat him as one and thus set you free. Will you give us time to make it so?"
Jestak looks at the sun coming in through the partially occluded doors to the battlement. Turning back to you she nods, You have till the sun is at its zenith. If you do not return then I will come searching for you as is my honor bound duty. As for his location his quarters are north of here but he may be down below as well.
There is or at least was no 'down below' as of the last records of Drezen that remain intact in crusader hands.
|
Garith lets hit face go blank as he looks over the bodies of the men from the battlements Then you will see his my noon-tide. I would not have one who knows honor beholden to Vhane. But should we not return by that time, seek us out, leave our men until you find us and they shall not harry you in your search.
Now when you say, Down Below, how large is the underground complex and where is the entrance? garith asks, hoping for some additional information. He and his party are all tired, and should they need to track Vhane through some maze full of fiends, this deadline may prove too short a time...
He will let the others out of the room, ready and then back out himself when we are done here. Well met, Jestak. Would that we met under better circumstances, but we shall soon meet again I am sure.
"Down below? Curious, as of the last records within crusader hands, there was no down below. Has there been expansion underground in th mean time?"
"I really should have paid more attention in history classes... I wasn't aware of that... We'll need to be doubly aware of possible ways down now as well as the way north."
"As for the woman's bondage to Vhane, it seems to me it would be better to defeat him as a group, than to intentionally send just one and force her into further bondage... For the favor of her freedom, she might decide to join us of her own free will, which would, it seems to me, to be preferable to her being bound to one person against her will as she is now."
Jestak shrugs her shoulders. I do not know exactly where but it must be north of here as that is what Lord Vhane headed towards when he mentioned it in passing. I do not know how large of an area it is other than I heard that special captives are brought there and held for specific purposes.
She laughs slightly at Garith when he mentions sparing the men, You should know as well as I that if anyone comes between me and my honor bound duty that I will not hesitate to strike them down. Looking at your raiment. Holy warriors are not the only ones with honor. You have till noon to return to me victorious or not. The blood of your men will be at your hands if you are late. This is as much leniency as I can give you in this matter.
She is true to what she is saying. She firmly believes that if you do not return at the appointed hour then any deaths are your fault. She will not hunt down your men directly but if they are in the way, well casualties happen in war.
"You have a kind heart, Maelchar"
When Jestak speaks, the wizard frowns a bit...
"You clearly believe what you say, though I would disagree on who would bear the blame if you were to kill them." He looks to the others, "We could send back a warning to let her pass without trouble? In case we do not make it in time."
"She seems quite sincere... "
Morgrym narrows his eyes at the warrior. "She sounds a lot like that one," he says, glancing over at Maranse. "Worse comes ta worse...," he raises his eyebrows, giving the impression he'll do whatever it takes to stop her if need be.
"DIfference is she doesn't seem to be charmed... it's just a matter of honor for her."
After running through the hallways and destroying a few animated statues in the east chapel area you eventually make your way to the last set of doors at the far northern section of the citadel. Zeriax does his thing again with the locks. They fall easily to him as he has seen them time and time again here. As the last tumbler falls in place the doors open up. A ruinous field of debris covers the southeast corner of this large courtroom. Columns support the thirty-foot ceiling overhead. The sound of 3 large creatures can be heard even if not seen behind stone pillars.
Nasira
Maelchar
Pakak
Zeriax
Morgrym
Sir Garith
Minotaurs
Pakak moves along, his face a scowl And now we must rush to the last great battle... Torag Willing. More little battles on the way. I am little better than a spent wand now. Never is there time to renew and restore spells once we get going. If I dally, even for a few hours, then a crazed Shaonti woman may kill our men. Blessed I've been with powers I do not understand, and yet against a horde of neverending problems, I am increasingly useless. It galls, and it angers me. I must find some way to make up for my failings to the group.
As they come into the next chamber, Pakak invokes a now familiar ward
"I'm out of Stoneskin spells, but this should help a bit."
Morgrym moves up next to Garith, "Bring 'em on." He glares at the creatures and readies himself to strike as soon as they near.
The horizontal bar is a support wall. Take that out and the center of the citadel will collapse. With a move though you can get far enough past ittyo fireball.
Nasira uses a mythic point to re-cast blessing of fervor on everyone in the party.
She chooses the option to augment her attacks and defense for the round.
Maelchar will go to F20 to keep Garith and Morgrym from being flanked (hopefully).
Nasira uses a mythic point to re-cast blessing of fervor on everyone in the party.
She chooses the option to augment her attacks and defense for the round.
Nasira moves into the room behind the warriors and, seeing the two minotaurs, artfully drops a display of her goddess' power right between them.