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The glint of a tripwire into the next room is all it takes for Kivuli to spot the next danger. Dropping to a knee, he easily nullifies the poisonous gas lever.
After several more minutes of searching, the group determines that the area is secure, and the townsfolk have at least one safe refuge until the demonic threat can be fully quelled.
"Thank you! Thank you!" the anxious townsfolk exclaim as they rush into their new sanctuary.
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After no more than a minute venturing amidst the raging combats taking place throughout the Battle district, a lone junior Pathfinder approaches, identifiable as one of Jorsal’s assistants from the Starrise Spire.
“Greetings! Venture-Captain Jorsal had me looking all over for some more experienced Pathfinders, and it looks like you’ll have to do! There’s a meeting of some senior crusader officials at a command bunker in the district. They’d like to have some Pathfinder advisors present, so that’s who Jorsal had me looking for. Come on, I’ll take you there right away!”
OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT
Pathfinders have struck a blow against the invaders in the Battle District
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The messenger escorts you to the dingy bunker. The sound of fireballs echo in the distance as you enter.
A delegation of senior representatives from different groups in the city is in attendance, each member barking out orders to runners and guards. They pause briefly as you enter.
Here are the Pathfinder leaders Jorsal sent!" the juinor pathfinder shouts out to stunned silence.
After quick stares the conversations pick up again and the juinor pathfinder describes what he knows of the major attendees.
Gudrun Mazrarad is a dour dwarf who coordinates the local militia and town guard. She sits on a tall stool and, when not engaged in conversation, focuses on sharpening her many axes.
Aline Valerys is a woman barely over 18 years of age, who keeps to herself but represents the common people.
Dermont Tabecland is an imposing man garbed in full plate, sporting various icons of devotion to Iomedae.
Salantris the elven wizard has brought together a ragged host of soldiers from the scattered magical academies of the district.
No sooner have you acknowledged the attendees when the doors fling open. A young crusader squires rushes to the center of the room, flanked by a pair of young crusaders.
"Jepheth! What is the meaning of this? Where are your manners, boy? Several of the commanders shout angrily.
Amidst frantic breaths, the young squire raises his hand and circles the room with his finger.
"My liege and his company of crusaders has ... just captured... a gang of demon sympathizers that were waiting for specific orders... from this bunker!" The crowd gasps. He continues.
"Sir Dagon told me to tell you that the traitor walks among you."
Incredulous sighs abound but the squire presses on. He concentrates his finger wags at the four crusader leaders mentioned above.
"Indeed, one of you is possessed by a demon of shadow even still!
Abrupt yet hushed discussions ensue throughout the bunker as the four leaders stare at each other with dismay.
The squire searches the room for heroes to step up.
"Who here can root out the traitor within?"
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As weapons are drawn, the room get even more tense and several crusaders instinctively draw their weapons.
One of the Crusader captains steps forward, sword brandished.
"What are you going to do Pathfinders? Beat the demon out of our leaders?" he mocks.
The four leaders look incredulous as the detect spells activate.
Salantris sighs. "Nice try. This entire building and everyone within is under the effect of a nondetection abjuration. Your spells will have difficulty here."
Indeed your magic fails to detect any auras, even where they obviously should .
"We haven't time for any of these mind games, people are dying in the streets, we need to return to the business at hand." Aline says with a frustrated tone.
"Agreed." Dermont and Gudran grunt, almost in unison.
The leaders turn and begin to mingle with their vassals once again. Some of the other warrior types eye you cautiously for your next moves.
The squire hurries closer to you and speaks in hushed tones. "They do not understand the consequences of letting a demon walk among them. Every plan they concoct will be shared with the enemy, or betrayed from within. My liege just knows the demons sought to possess one of our leaders. I trust him. This is not for my glory but for the Crusade."
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"All of you seem rather indifferent to the revelation that one of you is under the sway of a demon." The wayang approaches Dermont and Gudran. "The fact that the youngest woman in the room has you both on a leash is also of some concern. Come now, you practically spoke as one when she tried to dismiss this all out of hand. A local child commanding two seasoned veterans? Worldwound or not, the whole exchange is rather questionable. Unless of course she has compelled you somehow."
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"Kiboko has faced a shadow demon before. A devious fiend, it hid inside an honest soldier and only revealed itself when the soldier was killed.
Do not assume that youth is a barrier to leadership Kivuli." Kiboko strides over towards Aline and Kivuli, and towers over both of them. He smiles down at Aline, displaying his large prominent tusks. "Kiboko and Mvumbu are both young. But we are strong and fierce. Aline represents her people - either they chose her, or she cowed them with her strength and power. Tell us which it was, young Aline."
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[Ooc]Gm, I'm going to take some liberties with rp here -hipe you dont mind. Kramac will cast heightened awareness upon learning of the conundrum. My knowledge check, I believe is good enough to identify a shadow demon. I'll use my one question to ask for spell like abilities and learn they use magic jar to possess people, then try to bluff the demon.[ooc]
After Kramac stares at the four members, he will stand, as if pondering for a moment. Then he will say.
Yes, Kramac thinks that it has been long enough. Kramac knows who the demon is. We have known all along - we just needed to stall long enough to get a second team of pathfinders in position to capture the demons body and bind it so we can question it. Kramac thinks there is no longer time for the demon to escape... now to cast the demon out of his current vessel and back into his original body...
Kramac speaks slowly, waiting for the possessed person to react to his story.
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Cygnus paces through the room. "Gudrun how long have you been with the militia? And if you were to assault the city where would you attack first?" Looking at her axes, "cold iron?"
"Miss Valerys, I am told you are the voice of the people. Is your family from Nerosyn? Perhaps they were one of the many the formed this city during the 2nd Crusade?"
"Is it Sir Dermont Tabecland? I forget the titles those who follow the Inheritor. Do you think it an insult if a Shadow Demon was able to possess someone in the light of Iomedae."
"It is good to meet fellow elf dedicated to the arcane arts. Do tell where did you study."
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Cygnus and Flynn's careful questioning yields clues that seem to exonerate several of the leaders but not completely. Salantris scoffs at the questioning even as he answers in full, believing himself superior to all in attendance and scorns the idea of being possessed, as he believes he would have already overwhelmed any invader with his far superior powers.
It is Kramac's late gambit that is just enough to put Aline off center and she has no choice but to blurt out as Kivuli finishes his screed.
"I am not a mere child! I command respect because I represent the will of the citizens of Nerosyan!"
To Kivuli, her increasing anger betrays the woman's unfortunate plight and he signals the others of his hunch.
"What say you, Pathfinders, which of us should be taken away and questioned as a demon pawn?" Dermont demands as the crusaders and squire take positions to handle the threat you identify.
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"We need a little more time, the situation is delicate." Kelumur scowls at Dermont as he walks up and down carefully eyeing each individual of interest. Playing to his strengths, he test Gudrun and Aline's knowledge of the locality. " Perhaps if you have the respect of the citizen's of Nerosyan, you would easily answer a few questions about Nerosyan. Perhaps you're able to tell us who commands the Pathfinder Society Lodge, and the four main towers of the city?"
OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT
Pathfinders have struck a blow against the invaders in the Battle District
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The Crusaders move at your command and surround and overwhelm the poor woman before the demon inside can react decisively.
"You did it!" The squire exclaims.
"Such cunning." Dermont steps forward to extend his hand. "You have preserved the sanctity of our mission and likely saved Aline's life as well. No telling what plans that demon had for her."
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The demons have retreated from this portion of the district, but a crusader rushes out from one of the nearby buildings, gesturing to your group to join her. “You lot! In here, now!”
Following her cautiously into a nearby shop, she relaxes slightly and gathers you around a worn map stretched on the table.
"I am Lady Talira, priestess of Iomedae, and I need your aid. The large building --here-- is the bank of Abadar that contains a precious cache of blessed weapons desperately needed by crusaders throughout the city. I cannot gather the supplies myself as I am needed here to arrange for their distribution, and I need you to retrieve them for me."
Following her orders, you discover that the front of the bank is guarded by two massive hezrou demons, obviously well beyond your capabilities.
However, the map indicates a rear entrance to the bank through an alleyway.
"Haaarrr?"
Whilst once, Mvumbu could go about as quietly as a jungle cat, that has become much harder since she attained full adult size.
OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT
Pathfinders have started pushing back against the horde in the Egelsee and Outer districts
OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT
Pathfinders have continued driving back the hordes in Egelsee!
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Skirting around the back, as you pass by the rear wall, noticeable damage to the wall in a bizarre circular pattern leads you to believe that something isn't quite right.
Some of you can clearly see an illusory wall along the back of the building where the damage was. Inside, those of you seeing past the gaping hole covered by the fake wall can can see several figures rummaging through the bank's desks and drawers. They clearly do not belong.
Two of the thieves notice your presence in the alley and begin scrambling across the room with their ill-gotten gains.
Red Thief
Pink Thief
Kivuli
Mvumbu
Kelumur
Kiboko
Purple Thief
Yellow Thief
Orange Thief
Flyndyngylyn
Cygnus
Kramac
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After half expecting to have to blow through the door with force or magic, Kiboko answers Kelumur's call and enters the bank.
"Thieves! Profiteers who would ransom the city!"
He draws his greatsword as he enters the building and locates the enemy, then calls Mvumbu in.
"AS CORRUPT AS THE DEMONS THEMSELVES!"