A little more relaxed since Cole is taking their orders, Talon pushes him towards the horn with a firm hand while scanning the forest. "And that would be quite the cover story for an ambush."
Once inside the mouth of the horn, Talon scans the wood once more then turns to Cole. "Well you've been compliant so far, I think you've earned a chance to talk."
The witches plan is to kill the ninth. She tried to hire a group to do it. They must have failed. Once she learns of this, she will send another or come themselves. She doesn’t care what the Cardinal wants with Vetra Kali. She wants to finish the ritual and sacrifice him to her winter spirit. I signed an infernal contract as did all of you. My soul belongs to Asmodeus and my life is to serve and see his will be done. The seventh is now loyal to the witch and her will. My brother is among them, but he may be lost as well. The Cardinal needs to know of the betrayal. You should tell him now or, you can crush the seventh when they come or take the fight to them. Keep me on. Let me prove my loyalty to Asmodeus and to the contract. Let me be the proof to the Cardinal of their betrayal. We can finish the ritual and spread the pestilence over the land. I know even this may sound of a possible elaborate trap. Use magic if you like. See I’m telling the truth. My loyalties lie with those that serve Asmodeus will.
As Cole starts suggesting courses of action Talon chuckles. "Don't abuse your chance." He's running on. He's either stalling for time or realizes how desperate this is...still. A pitiful trap if it is one since we're all here and inside the Horn. An idea comes to Talon's mind. "Is the seventh knot aware of your coming here, or that you no longer side with them?" He gives Cala a knowing look. What an opportunity for a spy.
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Oh well lets see. I made it quite clear that her ambition was not in line with our contract, or with what the Cardinal wanted. For this I was given these.
He lifts his shirt and you can see some recent wounds that have been healed with magic, but still red from damaged tissue.
Fortunatly I am better at disappearing then they are a tracking. Knowing my loyalties to the cause I would think they know I come here. Which means they could be close behind me. It may be best to prepare in case they are.
Talon's brows furrow. "You've ruined any chance to be a spy for us." He looks between Cole's eyes. "But there's something to be said about being open about your loyalties." Talon unfurls his black wings, stretching them out. "I doubt they would come if you just disappeared. They would predict you would do exactly what you just did, which means they know we would be ready. Still, either way the facade is over. This needs to end quickly. The only question is if we are going to take care of it ourselves or if we want to get the cardinal involved."
Oret approaches, his gaze resting on Cole, judging his intentions. "You have worked with them all this time; what is their most likely plan of attack, given that you are no longer with them?"
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The immense wisdom of cold Oret sees the sincerity of Cole's words.
Have you been attacked within the last day or so? If not then the group she hired has not yet made their move. They should be attacking soon with the information she gave them.
Feeling that any immediate danger has subsided, Caladwhen dismisses her invisibility spell and reappears behind Oret and Talon, floating about a foot off the ground.
Measuring up the new arrival, Caladwhen shakes her head "Well, Elise clearly put her faith in the wrong place... the Banner Verdant won't be mounting any kind of assault on us," pausing, Caladwhen grins lightly as she looks over to an elven man standing nearby "will they Gabriel?"
Returning her attention to Cole, the elven maid floats closer to him to engage him "We have suspected your former commanders treachery from the outset, and have remained two steps ahead of her at all times. Your very presence here only confirms further that she has proven unfaithful, though her motivation you have outlined is news to us." Glancing over at Oret and Talon, Caladwhen concludes "Congratulations Cole, you are among the company of the 9th hereon out, but be fair warned; if your loyalties remain at all with Elise, you will have to answer to these two gentlemen," looking back to Cole, Caladwhen smiles ever so slightly and murmurs "a fate you no doubt wish to avoid."
I never had loyalties to that b%#++. She assumed command. I just followed along as long as we were doing the work of the Cardinal and Asmodeus. She broke the contract and has seemed to brainwash my brother. All I ask is he be spared if possible. I'm not saying don't put him down, but if he is alive I would like to imprison him until he sees his faith was misplaced and he comes back to our purpose. If this can't happen well let Asmodeus torture his soul. I will find another to serve me. Thank you for your acceptance. I will prove myself.
Remaining silent as Cole explains his position, Caladwhen keeps a steady poker face that belays nothing of her thoughts. After a moment, Caladwhen merely shrugs "So be it Cole, there will be ample opportunity to prove your worth when the time comes to strike at the 7th." Turning on her heel, Caladwhen starts to head towards Gabriel before pausing briefly to plainly add "We cannot guarantee your brothers life Cole; nevertheless, should he survive and fall into our hands, his fate will be yours to decide."
Turning back towards Gabriel, the cheerless necromancer affords herself a somewhat devilish smile "This deception of yours has proven most effective Gabriel," walking behind her wily adherent, Cala reappears again on his left side while lightly resting her right hand on his opposite shoulder "I think it time to take this ruse to its logical conclusion, wouldn't you say?" Looking towards her allies in the 9th, Caladwhen muses the next step with a good humored tease "Why, I think the Banner Verdant must have successfully defeated us, they were so brave and valant after all; I suppose it time they report back to dear Elise in Farholde of their success." Glancing back to Gabriel, the lithe elven maid appears lost in thought for a moment "Of course, you'll need proof of our deaths." Reaching behind her neck, Caladwhen slowly unclasps a sapphire pendant set in silver and hands it to Gabriel "It's yours now Gabriel, but a small token of my appreciation for the time being; Elise should recognize it instantly, but in the event that any further proof is required by the traitor, I will also arrange for some bodies she can inspect."
Talon listens quietly for a time, but laughs when Cole brings up the group. "Oh that's rich." He looks over to Gabriel and his group. "You've done well, in Asmodeus's eye as well as ours. But there is one small thing." Talon slowly draws Rygat, suppressing his most recent episode with the blade. "The 7th knot is a nest of lying traitors, but they're not dumb. They won't believe that we went down without a fight."
Pending the consent of Gabriel and his group, Talon marks them up a bit. He avoids being deadly, but uses the sharp end of Rygat for various cuts and makes some burns with magic. "Cala's necklace, some wounds, and even our bodies. If this doesn't sell it I don't know what will. We eagerly await your return, and we shall heal your wounds at that time if you lack the capability to do so on your own."
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"There are these." Sindran takes a silver medallion out of his pouch. He holds it up, revealing an engraving of the unholy symbol of Asmodeus. "Cardinal Thorn gave use these and I would think there is no better proof of our identity than to find these on the bodies."
Gabriel and his team proudly take the defensive wounds. As soon as the locations of the dead decoys are agreed on, they leave for Farholde - taking the direct route this time.
That very evening, loud bangs surprise everyone. Brightly colored flashes light up the upper floor and southern face of the Horn.
Ezra even pops up from one of the walls, screaming her head off at the loud bangs that disturb her....whatever she's been doing.
"".
Indeed, rather spectacular fireworks adorn the skies over Farholde. It’s a pretty sight to gaze at, from high up on the tower.
Apparently, the (remainder of the) town’s leadership has heard the victorious reports of the Banner Verdant, and deemed the news good enough to organize an impromptu festival to raise the town’s spirits. Surely it won’t be long until Elise either pays the Horn a visit or contacts the Cardinal...!
Don't forget about the circlets. I believe all the knots possess these. I’m gathering the plan is to report the ninth dead and to lay an ambush here for when they come. I’m sure Gabriel can return them or if the seventh takes them you can get them back when they come. There combat effectiveness is mostly through the witches’ power. Other than her they are heavy melee. The barbarian can be deadly one on one. Try and focus on the witch and the rest will fall.
Edit: Ninja'ed disregard the circlet part
All the knots possess the circlets...hmm... "We should contact the Cardinal. Let him know the folly that Elise will soon be telling him." He looks at Cole. "I don't believe we'll release you from those manacles quite yet, but I'll see to it that you get a good meal. Care to read at all Cole?"
Read? Yes I love to read the older the better. I understand about the manacles. Question though. Are the prayers said once or twice a day. Elise knows you are into the ritual and knows of the ritual. I would expect their attack an hour or two before the next prayer is to be said. So is there a library?
while Cala is staring out the top floor window, vaguely watching the fireworks but mostly contemplating Elise Zadaria's impending epic fail, a voice speaks out, not 3 feet from her location.
"Mesmerizing, isn't it dearie? I do love the smell of sulphur in the evening." The casual, pleasant, but oh-so-obviously-dangerous tone...This can only be Tiadora, the Cardinal's assistant. She must have teleported nearby and silently navigated her way through the horn.
Knowing full well she must have startled the pretty elf - even though Cala will probably make every effort not to show it - Tiadora, in mock conspiratory tone continues her snide monologue. "I've been assured that you'd been killed! As you know, we don't assume. So I wanted to have a little look-see for myself."
She deftly climbs through the window, sitting down on the window sill, a couple hundred feet above ground floor. Her face turns serious for the first time since you've met her.
"The Master will not be pleased with this... situation. He will contact you soon with a Dread Writ."
Tiadora subtly nods goodbye, and casually leaps off the tower. Of course, she teleports away well before hitting the ground.
If memory serves, at least 51% of the suspect must be presented to the plaintiff for the Dread Writ to be executed correctly. If Tiadora is right, this could become quite a rewarding evening...
Talon looks at the others. "We need to make sure any fighting does not interrupt the prayer cycle." He puts a hand on Cole's shoulder and begins walking off with him. "If anybody needs us we'll be in the library."
"One can only assume Cole, that Elise plans to begin the ritual anew; by employing the Banner Verdant, the Winter Witch would have known that such noble warriors would be thorough and destroy any work we had done thus far, and that it would take sometime for them to report back to her." With a shrug, Caladwhen adds non-nonchalantly "Nonetheless, we should expect her shortly; so let us prepare a warm welcome for her upon her arrival."
Resting in her room and watching the fireworks later that evening, Caladwhen indeed contemplates a great many things, foremost the fate of Elise Zadaria and her brethren in the 7th. Momentarily, the normally stoic elf maid tucks her legs into the fetal position and winces painfully upon hearing Ezra's voice as it screeches and resonates about the horn. I must find a way to rid myself of that vexatious spirit...
After Ezra disappears, Caladwhen gets up from her seat by the window and heads towards the table to pour herself a glass of red wine. Before taking a sip, another meddlesome voice startles and disturbs her solitude. Damnit, first Ezra, now Tiadora... all I need is for Zadaria to walk through my chamber door and this evening will be perfectly ruined.
With a sigh, Caladwhen responds to the fiends appearance "Good even Tiadora," halting her speech, Caladwhen watches as the fiendish servant climbs into her sanctuary before rolling her eyes and responding in a most sarcastic tone "sure, why don't you just come on in? Have some wine while you're here, why not?" Shaking her head, Caladwhen slumps into a chair to hear Tiadora out.
As Tiadora leaves, Caladwhen barely cracks so much as a grin at the implication of her declaration from the Cardinal, yet her eyes burn wickedly and with anticipation "Did you hear that T'larryo? A Dread Writ, how marvelous. I suppose my evening hasn't been ruined after all." Standing up, Caladwhen walks towards a bookcase in her room and reaches for a tome of Infernal Law "Invite the others to my antechamber; tell them Tiadora has just paid me a visit, and we have much to discuss."
As the bird flutters into the library Talon stands to answer the call. He sets Rygat on the table, then looks at Cole. "Don't go running off now." And he follows the bird up to meet Cala. He grins to himself as he runs a hand along the wall. Wouldn't it be rich if Rygat caught him doing something. Betrayed by a sword, almost poetic.
Talon steps into Cala's antechamber, taking a brief moment to notice how pale Cala is. "I hear Tiadora was in. What's going on?"
Coles curiosity and fascination with artifacts, history and magic objects will certainly get the best of him as he tries to talk to and examine the blade.
We thought Talon was a blade bound. How fasinating. Can you speak blade? Or do you communicate telepathicaly?
If the blade does talk and communictes back with Cole he will ask it about what it was before Talon found it and try to get it to fill an any holes Cole maybe doesn't know about.
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A furious *snap* sounds, as the Seal deep in Sindran's inventory breaks of its own accord.
A cloud of dust forms over the fragments, shaping itself into a circle. Over the course of 15 minutes (plenty long enough for everyone to be gathered around) the circle expands to about 5 ft in diameter, while the room slowly fills with the smell of sulphur.
As suddenly as it started, the smokey cloud clears, revealing a circular 'window' of sorts into Cardinal Thorn's study.
You see him well dressed as ever, but his temper isn't as poised as you've come to know him.
No. oh nooooo, no. The cardinal is positively seething with pent up rage.
"I have NO time for this infighting! We are so close to victory! Nothing can stand in our way!"
It's clear that he is fully up to speed on the betrayal of the 7th knot - and he is livid.
"The Knot Hibernal is hereby declared broken. In accordance with the Pact of Thorns, I release these traitors. They are no longer bound to my service or enjoy my protection. I send to you, my Nessian Knot, my furies: Tisaera and Melinoe."
Through the window, you see two creatures step in behind the cardinal's chair; clearly, powerful she-devils. Erinyes, most likely.
"Make them suffer for their treachery. Then return to the work at hand. Bring me the daemon’s gift!"
His message delivered and understood, the cardinal casually throws a new stone seal through the window for you to use.
He vigorously signs the document lying before him on the table, rolls it, seals it, and tosses it through the window at your feet.
There's no doubt as to the meaning of this document;
Have it your way sword, I thought you would like to share with one that loves history as I do. I will just read my book and you can watch.
Talon quietly listens to Thorn. No time for this infighting. He's probably referencing Morvius and I as well.
After the Cardinal disappears Talon goes down towards the library...but then takes a turn and finds an isolated room. How do they know so many details about us? He sits quietly, then takes off his circlet and stares at it. After a moment he goes and finds Cala. "Cala, I was wondering if I might have a scroll of identify."
Talon waits until Cala is taking a bath and approaches her. He keeps his gaze skyward, but still there is a light blush on his cheeks. "Sorry Cala, but there is something mildly urgent. Do you happen to have a scroll of identify I might use?"
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The writ contains several commands:
Barely containing her satisfaction at the outcome of events, Caladwhen gestures towards the Eryines "We look forward to your arrival at the Horn; we will endeavor to make your brief stay a pleasant one."
After the communication with the Cardinal comes to an end, Caladwhen looks over towards her cohort
Once Nariel departs, Caladwhen addresses the group "We should include Cole on these discussions from herein out; his fate is sealed to our own now, and no longer with Elise." Once Cole arrives, Caladwhen cracks open her tome of Infernal Law and begins to interpret the writ "The souls of Elise, Dostan and Titus or "Trik" are forfeit; Cole, you have no been promoted to the Nessian Knot by order of Cardinal Thorn. Since you have already signed your infernal agreement with Dessiter, I imagine no further contract is required."
Taking a moment to let that sink in, Caladwhen takes a seat and places the tome on a table nearby. "The she-devils you saw are named Tisaera and Melinoe; they are to serve us in execution of this warrant. They are powerful and exacting creatures, so we can expect any resistance from Elise to be short lived." Leaning back, Caladwhen appears contemplative "That said, I would like to take them alive... I have designs for these three." The tone of Caladwhen's comment suggests something quite sinister.
~Back Inside~
Talon arrives with Cole in tow and gives a slight nod at Cala's words. The blind devotion may be annoying but hopefully it makes him trustworthy. "Welcome aboard Cole. So tell us what you can do."
~Cala's Bath~
Talon gazes up awkwardly, waiting for a reply.
What I can do you ask. Well I don't like to label my self but I'm a pretty decent shot with my bow here. I'm an educated man, I know a little about most subjects. I am quite good at sneaking around and disguising myself. I make an excellent spy. Oh and haven't met a lock that can keep me out yet. Traps seem to just make themselves known to me. Finally I dabble in the arcane arts. Some spells to aid us in combat others for sneaking and surviving. I think that covers most things about me. From our watching of you I know you were lacking in area's I excel at, but don't worry I did most of the spying. If the seventh want information now I guess they still have the witches magic until we crush her that is...
Relaxing after a satisfying days work, Caladwhen contemplates exactly the best way to execute the warrant. One hand slunk over the side of the marbled bath, she reaches for a glass of wine while conversing with Nariel, who is at a table nearby with a scroll, quill and ink.
"The writ states that the 7th Knot be delivered fifty-one percent in-tact; that provision seems somewhat... open to interpretation, don't you think Nariel?" The musing of her master forces Nariel's attention away from the scroll, a devious grin forming as she considers the implications.
"Yes m'lady, I think I follow your meaning..."
Suddenly, their quiet respite is interrupted by the entrance of Talon. Both appear somewhat awestruck to find him there, though while Nariel's attitude turns cross at his intrusion, Caladwhen appears more bemused by his appearance.
"Master Dalkar! Surely there must a better time to approach Lady Alidmae?"
Suddenly a gentle laugh permeates and lightens the mood as Caladwhen responds "It's okay Nariel, just get me a towel." As the somewhat annoyed cohort scrambles to grab a nearby towel, Caladwhen takes a sip of wine before responding to Talon's inquiry "Of course Talon, I can procure such a scroll easily enough..." pausing, Caladwhen stands once Nariel gets into position to drape a towel around her; covered, Caladwhen exits the pool and continues somewhat curiously as she glides toward the exit of the bath hall "whatever do you need something like that for so urgently?"
For once Talon doesn't have his calm, overconfident air. He keeps glancing around, not remaining still. When Nariel scolds him he actually looks ashamed instead of scoffing at her. "Nariel, please give us the room." Talon waits until the cohort leaves, then sits down and looks at Cala. "I-" He opens his mouth a few times, then shakes his head. "Maybe I'm being paranoid. Stay here, I'll fetch the scroll." Talon waits for directions to where the scroll is, then retrieves it and returns to the bath, speaking to no one.
He unfurls the scroll, then takes out his circlet which is, instead of on his person, wrapped in a cloth in his backpack. He carefully sets it down, making sure not to touch the metal, then solemnly invokes the words of the scroll.
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Heh, fair enough :)
Talon, Caladwhen - have you ever seen an identify spell in effect? well...duh... who am I kidding - of course you have.
I'm sure you remember how satisfying it is, to watch the weaves of the Identify spell vibrate at different rates and colors, forming peaks and valleys around the object to show the intensity and alignment of the various schools of magic - complex weaves, which a skilled mage may then interpret, to determine the object's function and usage...
The spell's weaves start by folding around the Iron Circlet, triggering that well known feeling of excitement and anticipation - but instead of closing in on the circlet, they mysteriously bounce off; refracting impossibly off the circlet's surface.
At first, Talon almost doubts himself, thinking you cast the spell wrong - but then you see the concern on Cala's face, and you know it's not your fault.
The waves dissipate before they have a chance to teach you what you came for - but you do learn something else: The purple, and especially the red weaves remained longest, telling you that the illusion and abjuration schools, respectively, are the most strongly present schools of magic in the circlet.
You also realize that the item is wrapped in some seriously strange shielding magic indeed; perhaps this problematic project is best revisited once you have even more powerful identifying magic.
Talon stares at the circlet, then turns his head to Cala. "Something is wrong here. If it's just something to disguise us, why is it layered with abjuration so strongly if it's main purpose is an illusion spell?"
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okay, so you're doing it on the same day... but you'll never make the opposed caster level check, right?
With great trepidation, you cast the Detect Scrying spell .
At first, the suspense is killing you, but after a few seemingly endless hours of waiting, suddenly your gut wrenches, as your fears become fact.
With painful precision, you feel the exact location of everyone's Iron Circlets. Even Arryn's, lying abandoned in the laboratory.
As the fury rises within, you impuslively reach out through one of the circlets, trying to twist the scrying spell back upon the scryer; but the sheer force of the magic behind the spells hits you like a frying pan.
Somehow, you've always known - but actually knowing is so much worse than the naive, false security you enjoyed before.