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Havelyn *just* might stabilize.
...or, he may not.
Havelyn, still encompassed in a few inches of holy light, looks around in confusion, as he takes in his surroundings. He stands, and looks at Aerent.
"We both seem to be paying the ultimate price for striving to achieve our goals."
For the first time comprehending the fact that good and evil are simply a matter of perspective, and that it all boils down to how far one is prepared to go to achieve their goals. He nods, as warrior to warrior, with an odd sort of respect, as he realizes that you could push harder, because you didn't have an obligation to protect a flock.
"I see now there is some wisdom in your ways as well. How ineffective that our conflict has stymied both our causes - I see no winners here."
Both spirits move another step towards the light.
(nod to Aerent)
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Perhaps things will change when those on the bridge between the gatehouse and the fortress Balentyne take their turns.
The 4 skeletons are giving the 5 dwarves a good fight, providing Caladwhen a modicum of safety.
Talon, Oret; you're both close enough to the dying paladins to either aid them, or aid them on, whichever you prefer.
Sindran - there's a bunch of commoners not dead in the circle before you. The burning oils have just now stopped burning - only in the distance a handful of commoners is running away in panic.
To the west of the marketplace, an explosion followed by a dark green cloud marks the departure of the alchemy shop.
Aerent - that's a mighty big hole in your chest. You okay there, buddy?
"Well done Oret..." Talon finally uncorks the drop of demon blood, and gets down close to Aerent, talking quietly "Consider this me finally trusting you. The only human who I'd ever want to call my brother. Brave beyond your kin. Now come back to us, you have much more to do. Come back to us because we have much more to do. You cannot die on me now that we are finally ready to move on and achieve much greater things!" by the end Talon is shouting, and with a loud, infernal cry the demon blood expands and splatters over Aerent's chest, seeping into his deadly wounds. Slowly, almost invisibly, his wounds start knitting themselves together in an unnerving display of dark magic
eventually...
Unexpectedly, a shot of adrenaline surges through Aerent, and just as suddenly, you see Havelyn moving away from you - and only then you realize, that you're the one doing the moving. One step towards the dark. Apparently, darkness it is for you, then?
Havelyn looks at you with a frown.
"What is this?"
He looks at the light, at the end of the tunnel.
"Why is he allowed to return? Surely his goals are not as worthy as mine. Or would you go as far as to say his religion is better than mine?"
""
The shape at the end of the tunnel detaches itself. The creature drops its disguise and calmly, but surely, moves towards the paladin.
While Lord Havelyn looks from Aerent to the devil and back, with a look that shows clearly he does not comprehend the trickery of what is happening, Aerent slowly but inevitably moves towards the dark exit, feeling stronger by the minute.
The bone devil ever-so-slowly extends its many distorted limbs at (and around) the paladin, pinning him in his grasp. Pleasantly, in an almost conversational tone, it lays out the future for the Paladin of Sarenrae:
""
The Osyluth and its prey plunge towards the depths, Havelyn screaming all the way down...just as Aerent reaches the last stone on the path to Darkness...
...Aerent wakes up wide-eyed, screaming.
Nodding satisfactorily at Havelyn's death, Caladwhen quickly reaches into her belt pouch. Time to leave this place and join the others. Holding the feather up, a gust of wind steals it away from her hand as she whispers "Nae i' menel."
Taking to the sky, Caladwhen heads directly towards Talon, Aerent and Oret slowing as she approaches, finally hovering gracefully a foot or so off the ground, a light breeze tussling her hair lightly every which way.
Looking down as Aerent comes to back to the world of the living, Caladwhen nods in a nonchalant manner "You very nearly left us Aerent, welcome back." Turning her attention towards the gate, Cala frowns lightly "Good work gentlemen, the gate is open... meaning it's time to go. Oret, its doubtful that Aerent will be in much condition to move until Sindran can tend to him, so you'll have carry him, or at least help him along."
Turning her head around looking at the dwarves, Caladwhen mutters to herself "As to those damned creatures..." Telepathically, Caladwhen calls off the Draugr, but orders skeletons to remain. "I'll deal with them, and cover our exit." Pulling out her wand, Caladwhen scowls and prepares to roast the meddlesome crew of dwarves once and for all.
Talon raises an eyebrow as Aerent wakes "Doesn't hurt does it? I've never used that spell before, the blood is rather hard to locate"
Sindran eyes the fleeing commoners with displeasure. "Just stay there," he orders the ones gathered in front of him gruffly as he sets about giving another example of why it would be unwise to disobey him.
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Sindran runs after the commoners like an apparition of fire. Which is to say fast and wild and burning.
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Varning and the Draugr* were focusing their attacks on a particularly annoying Dwarf, who quickly backs off, looking quite bruised and scared. At Cala's command they simply stop, and move backwards to stand guard between her and the skeletons.
None of them are very fit anymore - but you should see the dwarves.
*
Sindran is too preoccupied with the chase to notice much else.
Aerent comes to his senses and stops screaming as soon as Cala and Talon speak. Rolling over, he coughs a few times, then stands up on unsteady feet. Looking down at the gruesome wounds that appear to be mending themselves, he replies, "Glad to be back, and yes, Talon, it hurts... but given the alternative, I'll manage."
Aerent pauses, then looks at the strix, "Thanks."
Glancing around, he retrieves his trident, then pulls the flare out from behind his back. "I saw Havelyn's soul claimed and taken, he will not trouble us again." Taking a final look at the gatehouse to ensure the way is open, he raises the flare triggers the release, shooting the streaming light high into the sky.
That deed done, he moves over to Havelyn's body. Gathering the man's belongings, he hefts the corpse. Looking back at his comrades, "Unless anybody has more business here, I'd like to make a motion that we retire from Watchtower Balentyne and let Sakkarot have his fun."
Oret shakes his head. "I will stay and watch a while. After all, it's not every day one gets to see plans come to fruition, nor the makings of history. I will meet you afterwards."
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At your first touch of Havelyn's armor, it feels icy cold, as if it is, and has been, draining heat from the surrounding environment for some time.
Then, before your very eyes, the plate armor and sword ignite in flame, burning the body to ashes, while shriveling, reshaping, blackening the metal, breaking the sword in pieces - until they no longer resembles their original shining form with Sarenrae's sunburst.
Instead, the armor is now a black, baroque armor, adorned with the infernal iconology of your Lord Asmodeus. It is now a +1 dastard full plate; and the pieces of the sword are now perfect black pentagrams : two +1 returning shuriken.
Truly, the Lord of Nessus is watching over your deeds.
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My villains. You may have arrived quietly, but you're leaving with quite the roar.
From the gatehouse roof, the single rocket slowly rises into the air, and eventually bursts in a shower of red sparks, followed by a thundering roar seconds later.
This signal would have immediately put the tower on high alert - if only there were anyone of any significance left alive to do so. Eventually though, a patrol of rookie soldiers is sent to investigate the site where the rocket was launched from - but otherwise, it is a quiet, relaxed, almost peaceful hour until the bugbears arrive.
In their thousands, they stream over the landscape. They are not completely without siege equipment : groups of shaggy murderers and rampaging hill giants wield great tree trunks, to force down any doors or gates - or, for that matter, soldiers or villagers - that may yet stand between them and much sought slaughter. The battle for Balentyne is over. Your first mission is now complete.
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After the first hordes have passed under the gatehouse, and crossed the bridge, the enormous, eloquent Sakkarot with his flaming axe emerges from the forest. While his horde streams through the fortress and the town beyond, he stops in front of the gatehouse, and rests his giant fists on his axe. His creepy smile exposes sharp, yellow teeth, but before long, a thunderous laughter shakes his belly and he salutes you with nothing but respect for your accomplishments.
"Well done, friends. Exceptionally well done. I'd love to tell our Cardinal exactly how much of a warm welcome you've given us, but -heheh- first, I'd rather enjoy it a little bit first. May we meet again, and may your efforts be rewarded!"
He bangs his fist on his chest, where the Asmodean pentagram proudly shows his loyalty.
Oret picks up the two shuriken and gives them a few practice throws, eyes widening slightly when he discovers their returning enchantment. "These will do nicely."
Eventually, Even the parts of Aldencros that Sindran left intact now burn or lie in ruins. As evening falls, it is time to break the seal and contact the Cardinal, to inform him of the mission's success. Mere moments after you break the seal, the impeccable maiden Tiadora appears, showing her smug smile as always, but this time there's something more in her look - perhaps, respect, even.
She bears a gift.
"Our lord smiles upon your success. Here is a token of his esteem. Use it to rest, recover, and strengthen yourselves. Other commands will come soon - your Knot is again needed. Your work has just begun."
A small but heavy wooden box contains 10lbs of platinum ingots worth the small fortune of 5000gp.
From your high viewpoint, you can see the great bugbear horde camped west of the Watch Wall. Balentyne yet burns behind you. Tiadora remarks: "I have seen no evidence of any army gathering to meet the horde. It appears Zadaria has also succeeded at her mission of assassinating the army commanders. Truly, a great achievement."
She motions to the east. "Making matters worse for poor Andoran, bands of creatures not aligned with Sakkarot approach the breach you created; eager to take advantage of the erupted chaos. I wonder how these beasts already know about this break in the Wall? Someone must have told them."
She almost winks - but her beauty is distracing, making it hard to tell. Smiling once more, she continues:"Nevertheless, it is probably best to leave. This area is about to become very dangerous indeed."
"Still, this will not be enough. Balentyne may be broken, but Andoran is yet strong. Soon word will reach the capital. Then, the heartland and the great cities will marshal their armies, and meet the Sakkarot on the field. It will be far too close to a fair fight; we simply must to do something about that."
"Come, my lords. Your ship awaits."
Lords? she of all people called you lords? Well, lords you are. Lords of death, and destruction. Lords of Evil. Remember Branderscar...? being held down and branded like animals? How far you have already come, and how long is yet the journey before you.
Tiadora is right; these are only your first steps along the way of the wicked.
"Oh - and do try not to burn this one, mmmh?"
Talon watches the knitting wounds "I'll keep that in mind"
As Aerent thanks him, Talon makes eye contact. He opens his mouth as if to say something, but stops. After a moment he begins walking away "Come, we should meet the bugbears"
Talon grins, that same bone chilling smile "I'm rather enjoying the open sea. Well, let's head off than!"
Before departing, Caladwhen lays waste to the dwarves with a fiery ball of death as Aerent fires the flare.
As their corpses flail and burn to death, Caladwhen raises her left eyebrow and coldly adds "Dwarves. Such disgusting, impudent things." Putting her wand away, Caladwhen returns her attention to the others.
While secretly still animus towards Tiadora, the battle weary Caladwhen sets aside her feeling for the moment and greets the fiend.
"Thank-you Tiadora. Lead the way, I'm sure I'm not the only one who tires of this place." Summoning her minions to her, Caladwhen flies promptly to the ship.
Sindran mentally files away the information about Zadaria and the assassinations then struggles to maintain a straight face at Tiadora's parting comment, which he also recognizes as a statement that she knew of their actions.
"We'll just have to make up for it by burning more ships," he deadpans.