The Worldwound. A tear in the fabric between our world and the realm of demons. The ceaseless onslaught of the Abyss is held back only by the bravery of the crusaders and the strength of the Wardstones, massive objects of immense power that are anathema to the demons. But even with the Wardstones at their backs, four different crusades against the demonic forces have not been able to purge the Worldscar of its corruption or come any closer to sealing the breach. The Fourth Crusade ended six years ago with record low morale and rumors of corruption in the ranks, and as the crusade falters, the demonic forces swell within the Worldscar...
Four days ago:
You were summoned to Eagle Watch headquarters where your commanding Officer, Irabeth Tirablade, a paladin of Iomedae, gave you your orders and a treasure chest with platinum bars: ”You are to meet with Dragan BloodAxe, dwarven ambassador of his clan, with whom we do much business, at this location in 2 days.” Irabeth hands Sabrina the map and the chest to Zarak. ”It’s about a 2 days’ ride east from here. He will entrust to you a shipment of cold iron, obviously necessary for our continued battles with the demon-kind. In exchange, you will give him the treasure chest. Don’t screw this up. We cannot afford to lose this shipment. Morale is already so damn low among our ranks and the Crusaders and our supply of cold iron weapons is not eternal. Thankfully, Armasse is approaching in 4 days and that should lift morale. The jousting tournaments and mock battles and duels, contests of skill and strength, and a chance for the common folk to learn the soldier's arts, if only for a day, will help forget their troubles. Hopefully, the history lessons will inspire more soldiers…we sure need them. Lord Holrun is scheduled to speak. If you hurry, you should be back in time. Please don’t be late. I’ve talked you four up to him, so don’t make me look bad by not being there.” Irabeth smiles at the three women and the half-orc. ”You are my most trusted soldiers. I have confidence in you that you can pull this off. Be back safely with the shipment.” Irabeth’s level of concern and trust in you was genuine.
You set out immediately and reach the meeting point on the day designated, despite being harassed by bandits on the roadside looking for easy prey to extort, which you dispatched without much issue. After confirming your identities, the exchange was made and the ambassador dwarf and his delegation departed, leaving you with a rickety wagon filled with cold iron ore. When you complained about the state of the wagon, the ambassador merely scoffed, ”The journey from our mountain home was long. Deal with it.” With nothing else to do, you headed back to Kenabres. After surviving another ambush, this time by a pack of three chokers, the party was one day away from Kenabres when one of the wagon’s wheels fell off. You scavenged the area for supplies and after a few hours, you were finally able to fix the wheel, but it was almost noon and you knew you would miss the first day of Armasse. As you continued traveling, suddenly a powerful vision overcame each of you!
Armasse officially began at noon, with the blessing of the festival by Lord Hulrun himself, ruler of Kenabres. The crowd gathered in Clydwell Plaza quieted as the aged inquisitor took the stage, clad in shining, resplendent armor. He cleared his throat, but just as he was about to speak, a bright light shone from the west, as if the sun were rising from the wrong direction. Hulrun’s shadow fell huge and distorted across the cathedral’s facade. A moment later, the sound of a thunderous explosion ripped through the air and earth, along with a violent tremor. To the west, the fortress known as the Kite—the location of Kenabres’s wardstone—had vanished. In its place, a brilliant plume of red fire, lightning, and smoke erupted into the heavens. A moment later, a powerful roar accompanied a welcome sight rising from the crowd—Kenabres’s greatest guardian, the ancient silver dragon Terendelev, who had until that moment been attending the opening ceremony disguised as a human. Above, another form appeared, as nightmarish as the dragon was breathtaking. A humanoid shape three times the size of any man, with skin coated in fire and lightning, gripped a flaming sword and whip. The creature’s identity was immediately obvious: Khorramzadeh, the Storm King of the Worldwound, had come to Kenabres, a city of a little over 12,000 souls!
As the ground continued to shake and disgorge demons into the streets, the dragon and the balor lord clashed above. The fight was over in a few harrowing moments, as the balor cut deep into Terendelev’s body, swooping down to strike the dragon and arresting her charge. A few more blows, and the titanic duo spiraled downward toward the crowd. The sight of the dragon smashing into the facade of the Cathedral of St. Clydwell is one you would ever forget. At that moment, a titanic demon erupted at the far end of the plaza, reducing several buildings to ruins as it smashed into this world. You can hear the screams of Kenabres’ citizens as they try to flee the demonic invasion. Meanwhile, the dragon’s battle is going badly for her as she is outnumbered and she takes to the skies. The balor lord follows and attacks her from behind. The last image you see before the vision fades was the Storm King standing before the ancient silver dragon, his sword lashing out and cleaving full through her neck, severing her head! Colorful pic for the image
16th day of Arodus 4713
12:10 pm
Then the world goes black as you find yourself back on the road to Kenabres a day away from your destination.
Zarak stares in disbelief as he comes back to reality. He hoped beyond hope that what he had seen was not real, but the looks on his companions' faces lead him to believe otherwise. He wasn't very educated, but he was wise so he could see the truth in their faces.
"Nooooo...Tendrelev dead.....our city under a demonic invasion?! How'd the damn demons destroy the wardstone? And Irabeth and our fellow Eagle Watch members? We've got to get back quickly...find survivors, mount a resistance, strike back. Something!" The frustration on the half-orc's face is readily apparent as his temper rises and he closes his eyes and presses his head against the wagon, futilely trying to calm himself. After a few seconds, he suddenly starts shouting, "Those f-ing dwarves and this decrepit wagon! It's their fault. If not, we would have been there..we could have done something...aaargH!" The towering half-orc screams in frustration and shakes the wagon with his great strength but backs off before doing any more damage to it, walking up ahead by himself. His home! It wasn't enough they took his mother from him. Now, they were back destroying his home. Bloodwing grips his 6' long greatsword tightly and whispers to himself, "They will pay...of that there is no doubt, mom."
Turning towards the city, Aileen closes her eyes, lips moving in a silent prayer.
"This... cannot be allowed," she speaks hoarsely after a moment. "If the breach is not sealed at once, the demons will threaten the entire fortification line from Nerosyan to the Crown of the World. We can't stop the balor, but the horde must be stalled untile Her Majesty can muster a response."
"We must link up with other survivors before it's too late - and maybe bring those arms to them, too, Goddess knows we're going to need them."
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Sabrina accepted the mission without dissent nor question. it has only been a few months since her return from her self imposed exile following the events of the Second Crusade. events she has never talked about.
To all of the others she is simply known as Sabrina. a Paladin without a banner save only Iomedae's. her family name has never been divulged.
During the mission, she remained focused on its success, she has a military presence about her most of the time.
finally, after the wagon is repaired, she falls into her trance seeing the vision before her.
Whae she returns the look of the others indicate a similar vision. Zarak's outburst of frustration immediately catches her attention.
Zarak, if we were there, we would no better off than the others that have fallen, Iomedae has set things in motion to remove us from the city.
Looking to the rest, If these events did in face occur, then we must organize relief efforts, tend to the wounded, and begin to formulate a defense.
If they have not yet occurred, then warning must be given. in either case, haste is vital.
Sabrina looks to the sky on the road ahead. looking for signs as to which is true.
Zarak scoffs at the paladin's words, "Bah...could have made a difference. No matter, we play the hand we're dealt. But there will be vengeance, in Ragathiel's name, I swear it!" The bloodrager hops back on the wagon () and drives the wagon toward Kenabres as fast as it can go in its current condition.
Awaking from her vision as though from a bad dream, Elise jolted forward with a surprised yelp. Staying silent a moment as her companions spoke, Elise fought back the sorrow and remained in a state of shock.
My home, it's greatest defender... the last stand against the demon hordes, my god it's all gone.
Looking silently towards Zarak with a sad smile, Elise shook her head. Of course Sabrina was right, had they been there, they too might have ended up dead. Nevertheless she could understand Zarak's position, his heart was ever in the right place.
Before he mounts up, Elise finally speaks softly and lightly grabs Zarak's arm. "Hang on my friend, vengeance in this case will favor the prepared. If this shared vision is true and the worst has happened, then Kenabres is swarming with with demons," pausing with a mournful sigh, Elise shakes her head as the realization set in before she continued "we may need a plan just to get into the city."
Awaking from her vision as though from a bad dream, Elise jolted forward with a surprised yelp. Staying silent a moment as her companions spoke, Elise fought back the sorrow and remained in a state of shock.
My home, it's greatest defender... the last stand against the demon hordes, my god it's all gone.
Looking silently towards Zarak with a sad smile, Elise shook her head. Of course Sabrina was right, had they been there, they too might have ended up dead. Nevertheless she could understand Zarak's position, his heart was ever in the right place.
Before he mounts up, Elise finally speaks softly and lightly grabs Zarak's arm. "Hang on my friend, vengeance in this case will favor the prepared. If this shared vision is true and the worst has happened, then Kenabres is swarming with with demons," pausing with a mournful sigh, Elise shakes her head as the realization set in before she continued "we may need a plan just to get into the city."
Zarak looks at Elise, "Thanks....whatever fate has planned for us, then together we shall overcome. That is the will of Ragathiel." He squeezes her shoulder in gratitude for her kind words. Perhaps he was not alone in this world after all...he had friends he could depend on and vice versa in one's hour of need...and the current situation definitely qualified.
Take Two:
The Worldwound. A tear in the fabric between our world and the realm of demons. The ceaseless onslaught of the Abyss is held back only by the bravery of the crusaders and the strength of the Wardstones, massive objects of immense power that are anathema to the demons. But even with the Wardstones at their backs, four different crusades against the demonic forces have not been able to purge the Worldscar of its corruption or come any closer to sealing the breach. The Fourth Crusade ended six years ago with record low morale and rumors of corruption in the ranks, and as the crusade falters, the demonic forces swell within the Worldscar...
Four days ago:
You were summoned to Eagle Watch headquarters where your commanding Officer, Irabeth Tirablade, a paladin of Iomedae, gave you your orders and a treasure chest with platinum bars: ”You are to meet with Dragan BloodAxe, dwarven ambassador of his clan, with whom we do much business, at this location in 2 days.” Irabeth hands Sabrina the map and the chest to Zarak. ”It’s about a 2 days’ ride east from here. He will entrust to you a shipment of cold iron, obviously necessary for our continued battles with the demon-kind. In exchange, you will give him the treasure chest. Don’t screw this up. We cannot afford to lose this shipment. Morale is already so damn low among our ranks and the Crusaders and our supply of cold iron weapons is not eternal. Thankfully, Armasse is approaching in 4 days and that should lift morale. The jousting tournaments and mock battles and duels, contests of skill and strength, and a chance for the common folk to learn the soldier's arts, if only for a day, will help forget their troubles. Hopefully, the history lessons will inspire more soldiers…we sure need them. Lord Holrun is scheduled to speak. If you hurry, you should be back in time. Please don’t be late. I’ve talked you four up to him, so don’t make me look bad by not being there.” Irabeth smiles at the party. ”You are my most trusted soldiers. I have confidence in you that you can pull this off. Be back safely with the shipment.” Irabeth’s level of concern and trust in you was genuine.
You set out immediately and reach the meeting point on the day designated, despite being harassed by bandits on the roadside looking for easy prey to extort, which you dispatched without much issue. After confirming your identities, the exchange was made and the ambassador dwarf and his delegation departed, leaving you with a rickety wagon filled with cold iron ore. When you complained about the state of the wagon, the ambassador merely scoffed, ”The journey from our mountain home was long. Deal with it.” With nothing else to do, you headed back to Kenabres. After surviving another ambush, this time by a pack of three chokers, the party was one day away from Kenabres when one of the wagon’s wheels fell off. You scavenged the area for supplies and after a few hours, you were finally able to fix the wheel, but it was almost noon and you knew you would miss the first day of Armasse. As you continued traveling, suddenly a powerful vision overcame each of you!
Armasse officially began at noon, with the blessing of the festival by Lord Hulrun himself, ruler of Kenabres. The crowd gathered in Clydwell Plaza quieted as the aged inquisitor took the stage, clad in shining, resplendent armor. He cleared his throat, but just as he was about to speak, a bright light shone from the west, as if the sun were rising from the wrong direction. Hulrun’s shadow fell huge and distorted across the cathedral’s facade. A moment later, the sound of a thunderous explosion ripped through the air and earth, along with a violent tremor. To the west, the fortress known as the Kite—the location of Kenabres’s wardstone—had vanished. In its place, a brilliant plume of red fire, lightning, and smoke erupted into the heavens. A moment later, a powerful roar accompanied a welcome sight rising from the crowd—Kenabres’s greatest guardian, the ancient silver dragon Terendelev, who had until that moment been attending the opening ceremony disguised as a human. Above, another form appeared, as nightmarish as the dragon was breathtaking. A humanoid shape three times the size of any man, with skin coated in fire and lightning, gripped a flaming sword and whip. The creature’s identity was immediately obvious: Khorramzadeh, the Storm King of the Worldwound, had come to Kenabres, a city of a little over 12,000 souls!
As the ground continued to shake and disgorge demons into the streets, the dragon and the balor lord clashed above. The fight was over in a few harrowing moments, as the balor cut deep into Terendelev’s body, swooping down to strike the dragon and arresting her charge. A few more blows, and the titanic duo spiraled downward toward the crowd. The sight of the dragon smashing into the facade of the Cathedral of St. Clydwell is one you would ever forget. At that moment, a titanic demon erupted at the far end of the plaza, reducing several buildings to ruins as it smashed into this world. You can hear the screams of Kenabres’ citizens as they try to flee the demonic invasion. Meanwhile, the dragon’s battle is going badly for her as she is outnumbered and she takes to the skies. The balor lord follows and attacks her from behind. The last image you see before the vision fades was the Storm King standing before the ancient silver dragon, his sword lashing out and cleaving full through her neck, severing her head!
16th day of Arodus 4713
12:10 pm
Then the world goes black as you find yourself back on the road to Kenabres a day away from your destination.
Saquiel is initially thankful for the mission and for Irabeth's trust. Flicking his own cold iron rapier in a salute, he remarks, "You can count on me. I will not disappoint you or the Inheritor."
In the exchange with the dwarves, he was diplomatic enough. Not an exemplar of grace, but adequate. In the battle with the chokers, the wizard displayed his skills, his rapier flying from his hand to strike the creatures as his crimson cloak flutters behind him. There is no hint of this darkness as Saquiel engages in the battle, just a dedication, dutifulness, and hint of excitement as he dashes about.
Later in the journey, he tried working his magic to fix parts of the cart, but the thing was just so massive. He'd need to be a more powerful mage to handle such a task.
"A vision of what will be, I think, but one we might not have the power to stop." A sadness crosses Saquiel's face, and there is some resignation as he speaks. "Any of the greatest champions of Good may fall with even the gods powerless to save them. Yet we were sent this vision for a reason, and there may be something we can do to help the survivors. To rally them, to muster our forces, and in time avenge Terendelev. Let us make haste."
Zarak stares in disbelief as he comes back to reality. He hoped beyond hope that what he had seen was not real, but the looks on his companions' faces lead him to believe otherwise. He wasn't very educated, but he was wise so he could see the truth in their faces.
"Nooooo...Tendrelev dead.....our city under a demonic invasion?! How'd the damn demons destroy the wardstone? And Irabeth and our fellow Eagle Watch members? We've got to get back quickly...find survivors, mount a resistance, strike back. Something!" The frustration on the half-orc's face is readily apparent as his temper rises and he closes his eyes and presses his head against the wagon, futilely trying to calm himself. When the aasimar speaks, he regains his composure. "Saquiel is right, get back to Kenabres, find survivors, muster forces, and avenge them!" Zarak grips his greatsword tightly, "They will feel my wrath."
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Sabrina accepted the mission without dissent nor question. it has only been a few months since her return from her self imposed exile following the events of the Second Crusade. events she has never talked about.
To all of the others she is simply known as Sabrina. a Paladin without a banner save only Iomedae's. her family name has never been divulged.
During the mission, she remained focused on its success, she has a military presence about her most of the time.
finally, after the wagon is repaired, she falls into her trance seeing the vision before her.
When she returns, the look of the others indicate a similar vision. Zarak's outburst of frustration immediately catches her attention.
The Inheritor has set things in motion to remove us from the city. the visions only confirm that we are chosen to set thing right.
Looking to the rest, If these events did in fact occur, then we must organize relief efforts, tend to the wounded, and begin to formulate a defense.
If they have not yet occurred, then warning must be given. in either case, haste is vital.
Sabrina looks to the sky on the road ahead. looking for signs as to which is true.
Kalla merrily accepted the mission, and tried to keep the spirits of her companions high by singing what songs she knew that were popular in Kenabres, or snippits of Kellid folk songs.
The folk of the Worldwound are often stoic to the point of being dour, and she has tried to bring brightness into their lives whoever they are, be they her adventuring companions or children on the street. She has leveraged her now-strong connection to Pulura to do mercenary work beyond just healing people and singing, and has tried to keep her companions safe in their adventures.
She smiled warmly at Dragan, and thanked him for his efforts. "Dragan, you should be commended for getting the wagon here at all. These mountains are treacherous at the best of times. Thank you for what you've done. It will be put to good use."
She patches up the party after the choker battle, and even manages to nick one with her crossbow.
She is singing a folk song about a fox taking delight in tricking a dour bear when she is overcome by the vision.
.......
Moments later, she composes herself by holding tightly to the side of the wagon. She shakes her head "Did we all have the same vision?" She looks around and notices the group discomfort. "Kenabres? Can you have fallen as well? I agree Sabrina, let us make haste. It may not have come to pass, but we can't have shared a vision without it being important."
Kalla attempts to identify, somehow, the demonic being in the vision.
"Kalla, that demonic being was Khorramzadeh, the Storm King of the Worldwound, a Balor Lord of tremendous power."
”Korramzadeh... and it seems that he vision shows him slaying... Terendelev? If the vision we had is true, the crusaders will need this cold iron - and us - more than ever. Do not despair, “fate” is just a four-letter word delivered by people who aren’t creative enough to make their own decisions. Pulura be praised, Kenabres will not go the way of Sarkosis”
On the journey back to Kenabres, Zarak remains focused, his thoughts never far from his mother's fate. He smiles at Kalla and nods in appreciation at her efforts to keep things positive and light. However, he disagreed with her outlook. He believed in fate. There was a reason he had been "gifted" the bloodrage. It was his destiny to be here at this moment in time and he would make the most of it, dealing as much damage to any demon he met.
The one-day travel back to Kenabres feels like an eternity, as the party is lost in their own thoughts of the fate that has befallen their city. However, when you reach the city by dusk of the next day, the images that greet you are scarred forever into your brain. From a distance, you can see the smoke of many fires, which when you approach, you can see through the broken portcullis are the charred bodies of hundreds of Kenabres citizens still on fire set out about the city as grotesque sculptures. The tremors and demonic attacks have devastated the city, leaving it a smoking, apocalyptic ruin. Deep chasms riddle the city, while the paths of enormous demons have left ruinous trails of rubble extending out from the city’s heart. Above, the once-familiar skyline of Kenabres is forever changed—the tower of the Kite and the Cathedral of St. Clydwell having been completely destroyed, while elsewhere plumes of dark smoke still rise from the smoldering remains of burned-down buildings. Fat buzzards wheel above in skies scarred by red smoke and black clouds. The Worldwound has expanded its borders, and now the city of Kenabres is enveloped in it.
As you approach the entrance, past the smoke and out of your line of sight, you hear a male voice, "Help!!! They're about to kill me! Is anyone out there?"
Kalla gazes at the smoldering ruins and is again struck, and she loses her composure and tears fall. She sniffs, and wipes the tears from her face, "it looks like I was wrong. Let's do what we can to help the survivors." She casts a quick prayer to Pulura and heads towards the distressed voice with the party, drawing her crossbow.
Zarak barely manages to contain his rage when he sees the condition of his adopted city. He focuses on saving whom he can, so when he hears the call for help, he bounds to the rescue, greatsword in hand, heading immediately to the source, dangers be damned!
Saquiel uses his wand of Mage Armor (now at 49) and follows behind Kalla.
Does he think the voice is genuine, or a trap?
The voice and fear in it seem genuine to you, Saquiel. As you follow the eager half-orc past the smoke, which stings your eyes for a second, you hear female laughter, "Scream all you want elf, no one is coming to save your blind ass! You're up for the stake next, the Lord of the Labyrinth commands it!" You hear an anguished "Nooooooooooo!" Just then, the 6'7" massive form of Zarak steps through the smoke, with the party behind him. You find yourselves near a plaza with a fountain located near the entrance of the city. In earlier times, it was a place for commoners and nobles alike to gather and chat and gossip or relax in the sun, when they stopped thinking about the Worldwound. Now, however, a different scene greets you. The water from the fountain is blood red, as you spot a number of severed heads bobbing on the surface. The headless corpses to whom the heads belong you assume lay draped over the side of the fountain. Five stakes with citizens on fire burn before your eyes, their fates beyond your salvation. You see an elf dressed in robes, his eyes recently burned, standing near a wooden post, surrounded by four female warriors dressed in chain shirts, wielding glaives. Warrior women
10' away from them stands another woman, presumably the leader of the band, also wielding a glaive and standing in front of a burning corpse with a book reciting phrases inaudible to you. Leader
The four women and their leader turn to you when Zarak and the party make their appearance. The leader shouts, "You have interrupted the Lord of Minotaurs' condemnation rites...you will pay for this with your lives!"
Sabrina knows the unholy symbol the women wear marks them as cultists of Baphomet, the demon lord!
Seeing the debauchery and vileness of the cultists, Zarak knows that though he normally never strikes women, these women are too evil not to kill! He screams, letting some of his frustration with the situation out, enjoying the strength bonus he receives!
Quickly, Kalla calls from the heavens sparkling blue light which descends onto the four women, coating them in silvery dust. "Light of Pulura, expose their wickedness."
Move action - Kalla moves one square north and west.
The leader scoffs at Kalla as her dust fails to blind any of the warriors, "Your magic does not affect the true believers of the Labyrinth! You pray to a weak god!"
However, after saying that, a raging Zarak rushes forward and cuts down with brutal efficiency one of the cultists, as he drives his sword nearly through her torso!
Sabrina moves forward and wounds one of the cultists, but she still stands.
Round 1: Cultists
The leader screams, "We must avenge Jemina and kill the infidels! Focus your attacks on their front line, especially the half-orc...I will focus on their back line!"
The cultists all yell in unison, "Yes, Mistress Hosilla!" They position themselves 10' away from the party strike with their glaives.
The red cultist attacks Sabrina, while blue and green attack Bloowding.
Saquiel readies to interrupt the leader with Scorching Ray if she tries casting anything. He has Precise Shot.
Round 1: Hosilla
She starts casting a spell, when Saquiel's scorching ray hits her in the chest! She screams in pain and is wobbly as she can barely stand!
The elf who is tied to the stake yells out, "I hear magic and combat, please help me, I've been blinded!"
Kalla approaches Sabrina and performs a prayer to Pulura, touching Sabrina’s shoulder and channeling healing energy into her.
Standard action - cast cure light on Sabrina.
Zarak winces at the blow but continues raging and attacks the green cultist.
Zarak moves into the cultist's range and decapitates her!
Round 2: Cultists:
The blue cultist moves 5' back and strikes at Zarak.
The red cultist strikes at Sabrina and then moves next to Hosilla.
Saquiel moves (3 squares north, 1 square east, can't modify map) and hurls his rapier at the cultist leader, hoping to finish her. The blade flies out, strikes the cultist, and returns to his hand.
The rapier pierces Hosilla’s eye, leaving a shocked look on her face and killing her instantly!
Zarak takes a 5' step toward the blue cultist and attacks.
Kalla, hoping to help dispatch the cultist, takes a moment to try to boost the party's spirits with the guiding power of Pulura. She prayers briefly and then moves to touch the appropriate party member.
The cultist, is well, like most cultists, fanatical, so it does not yield. In fact, it tries to skewer Sabrina with its reach weapon as she approaches! Sabrina deftly parries the blow, comes close and cuts down the cultist! The smell of the burning corpses on the stakes is so intense, you are sure it will stay with you for awhile.
The blind elf tied to the stake turns his head as if to listen, "Anyone out there? Can someone please free me?" He bows his head in defeat.
Kalla rushes over to the elf and tries to untie him, and immediately checks to see if he’s injured (beyond his eyes).
”They are dispatched, and you have allies here. Do you know of any other survivors?”
Saquiel moves up to the elf and helps cut his bonds or untie him.
"My name is Saquiel. What is yours?
I am sorry we cannot restore your sight. But you are alive, and in time we may find the healing power you need."
He looks to the tome the cultists were using. Can he determine what they were trying to do?
Zarak ends his rage and is fatigued for 6 rounds. Afterwards, he searches the cultists' bodies for treasure and intel.
The bound elf tenses as the party moves around him, but relaxes a little when Saquiel cuts his bonds. He rubs his wrists and speaks in an eloquent voice now that the fear of being burned at the stake has passed, "My savior has a name, Saquiel and he has friends, though they have not bothered to give their names to me yet. You are crusaders? Eaglewatch? Something else? Thank you for saving me from those sick cultists. By the smell of things, it appears you saved me from quite a terrifying death. I am Aravashnial, a mage of some renown in Kenabres, or at least I was before I was blinded in the attack. I was trying to make my way through the city to see healing at any of the churches. The damage to my eyes I believe is permanent, beyond the cure blindness spells some acolytes can cast. Say, what are your goals here? Thousands died in the initial onslaught and the demonic presence is still in the city. If you wish, I can accompany you and try to help as best as I can in my condition. Kenabres is the only real home I know, since I left Kyonin. Per chance, have you seen an ornate staff lying around here? It is quite meaningful to me."
While you chat with the elf and you search the dead cultists, you find the elf's MW Quarterstaff along with the following:
Hosilla,
You will remain, for the time being, in
Kenabres, but know this: the city’s days
are numbered. I shall assume command of Drezen
shortly, and once Vorlesh has finished with
the wardstone and Kenabres is no longer of
interest to us, you are to return to my side.
Excellent news regarding the salvage of
Yaniel’s sword from the museum as well—bring
it with you, for I believe this weapon could
be quite useful once we corrupt it. Before you
leave for Drezen, stop by the three safe houses
(Nyserian Manor, Topaz Solutions, and the
Tower of Estrod—the passphrase remains “I’ve
new material for the archives,” for now) to
ensure no evidence remains behind.
May Lord Deskari and Lord Baphomet watch
over you!
S. V.
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Sabrina scans the area for more cultist, or demons. as she surveys the area, she listens to the mage's story.
Once the area is secure, I am Sabrina, Crusader from the second crusades. It is my intention to establish a safe base camp and gather survivors. tend to all the wounded we can and assemble a force to begin the task to retake the city.
Mage Aravashnial, you are still a wizard despite being blind. I am sure there is much you have to offer.
addressing the rest of the group, anything of interest among the slain?
"Yeah, these orders seem to evidence that there are 3 safe houses of cultists in Kenabres. We should visit them and annihilate the bastards. Just a thought."
"Looks like various treasures, armor and the like." Kalla hands the staff back to the elf. "Here you are, we will get you to relative safety, but we must press on to take out what are apparently cultist cells throughout the city."
Distributing the treasure, she says "Everyone, take a potion. Zarak, grab this bigger potion." Kalla packs what she can, efficiently into her bag, and distributes the rest to the other party members so that as much may be carried as possible.
"Kalla, should you take the potion of Invisibility? Many of your blessings will not break the magic's effect.
And Zarak, I think that's a good plan. Let's move."
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Sabrina listens to the others, before we move out to quickly. as we come upon survivors, we will need a place to safe guard them. a base of operations might be best to start. of course we might be able make use of one of these cultist hide outs as our base. with the down side of the enemy knowing where it is located.
reading the note. Sabrina seems to stare at it for a while, like a flood of bad memories were brought to the surface as she reads it. Eventually she returns the note to whoever had picked it up,
we also need to recover the sword. that will definitely be useful, as well as a blow to the enemy.
"That sounds good to me, I'll take it and maybe it'll help us in dire situations." Kalla responds.
"We definitely need a safehouse of some type - let's see what we come across. I don't think this square is safe, we should move along. Aravashnial, I am Kalla, and we will do our best to keep you safe and drive out these demons from Kenabres - though our abilities are limited."
The elf takes the staff and uses it as a walking stick and lets the party guide him. You travel forward at the elf's slower 20' speed now. He speaks, "I know you have missions of your own, but if you could please lead me to the Blackwing Library, when you have a chance, I would gladly appreciate it."
As you move through the city toward whatever destination, you hear the worries of citizens barricaded in their homes who refuse to leave the perceived safety of their homes. At one home, screams for help and you see four dretches, the lowest class of demons, trying to break into a house barricaded with boards. Zarak and Saquiel's martial tactics are more than sufficient to destroy these weak demons who present no challenge to the party. After dispatching the demons, instead of receiving thanks from the citizens, you hear them lament, "Curse you all! Queen Galfrey revealed herself as a succubus and fled into the Worldwound—she’s the one who betrayed us!"