'Is it really possible that anyone who saw what happened at Kenabres could side with the demons?' Trying to calm his nerves he waited too see who would speak first.
Leothar tries to not betray any sign of suspicion, attempting to remain stone-faced.
He is perhaps less than successful.
"Please sit down." Fley motions for Nurah to sit down in a nearby chair as he starts talking. "Recently, in the past hour or so, we have come across something very concerning." He starts but doesn't want to beat around the bush too long. "You may not have realized, but one of us saw you acquire a vial from a dwarf, half-orc, and a human. We believe these three were cultists."
Fley waits just a moment before continuing, not letting her talking quite yet. "Now, I hope that it is a simple misunderstanding. But we need the truth from you Nurah. Why are you consorting with cultists? What was the vial they gave you? Are you with us or against us, Nurah?". He points at Nurah accusingly and now waits for a response.
Dadna watched Nurah intently as Fley asked the questions, her hand on the hilt of her weapon. It would take a very convincing explanation to convince her that Nurah was not in league with the cultists, and an even greater one to win back her trust.
Ardriel did his best to avoid betraying any sign of why they had called Nurah to them. As Fley began the questioning, he watched, alert, for signs of deception.
Concerned about the severity of what they've found, Ian looks at the halfling. "It's important That you tell us the truth."
Upon hearing the acusation Sosiel looks at Aron and then Nurah and says "Vials? What did these vials look like? Have I been a fool?"
Nurah then begins to speak, "You pitiful mortals and your useless values. Haven't you seen that the might of the Abyss will destroy your army like it did your precious wardstone and your worthless dragon guardian? Your weak willed allies will be your downfall and your deaths. Revel in your small victories while you can for they will be short lived!" She then disappears.
Round 1
Party Up
Are we in a tent? If so, Leothar will go to block the exit, trying to hold the flaps closed (although it may be too late).
If we are outside, he will look for footprints on the ground.
He is not very perceptive.
Dadna silently berated herself for getting caught up in the traitor’s ravings, thus allowing her to cast a spell. She looked to the ground focusing on any signs of movement, in the hope of stopping the heretic from fleeing.
Unsure of what to do, Seamus looks towards the others, then the council. Drawing his sword, he flourishes it, "Iomedae's will deliver you into our hands."
"Ughh... guess I was wrong."
"Nurah. If you're still here, please listen to us. The Abyss has corrupted you and your mind. It's not too late to repent and redeem yourself. The demons will not win, I know it deep in my heart."
Fley looks around, hoping to see or hear any glimpse of her.
Ardriel pulls out the last of his scrolls of dispel magic, then pauses, not knowing where to aim in order to dispel Nurah's invisibility. Instead, he looks for signs of her passage.
As the group looks for Nurah, Aravashnial casts a spell and begins looking where she was last seen. He says "She is somewhere over there within 60'." as he holds his hands out roughly 60 degrees apart. No one can see her though. Suddenly laughter is heard and spell-casting then silence. Aravasnial says "The magic is gone." Sosiel then approaches Fley and asks him rather forcefully "What did those vials look like exactly?"
Fley describes the vials, as best he can. "Well, I wasn't that close, so I couldn't see them clearly."
He looks down at his feet. "I'm sorry for doubting. I thought she was on our side and it was a simple misunderstanding."
Becoming concerned, Ian asks, "Who do we have that can check our food and water sources for poison?"
When Fley describes a pitch black liquid in the vials Sosiel eyes go wide and he looks at Aron. Sosiel shouts out "How could I be so stupid and not see it! You are using shadowblood again. Where is it hidden?"
Aron innocently looks at Sosiel and says "What are you talking about I haven't touched that stuff in ages?" Sweat pours off of Aron's brow and you can see his hands shaking.
"Excuse me, but what is shadowblood?" Fley asks quietly.
Sheathing the long sword, Ian nods in agreement, "Yes what is shadowblood and how does this involve Aron?"
Based on Sosiel's and Aron's words, Leothar suspects that 'shadowblood' may be some sort of a drug, one that Aron was enslaved by in the past.
"Sosiel, this is a ploy by the demons to divide us.
Whether Nurah was genuinely providing this 'shadowblood' to Aron, exploiting a weakness of his, or whether she merely meant us to think that he had fallen victim to shadowblood once more, either way Nurah was the one obtaining it. This is part of the demons' strategy. We should not turn our backs on Aron.
Aron, please speak the truth. Even if you have erred, we will help you back on the path of righteousness. And if you have not erred, all the better."
Nodding in agreement with Leothar, Ian turns back to Aron. "Aron Leothar is right, it would be better if you tell us what he asked."
"Hey Aron. We're here to talk about anything if you need it."
Leothar hopes that his words can sway the troubled man.
Aron looks around like a caged rat and finally all the fight goes out of him "OK! Alright! I'm using again Sosiel! I tried so hard to resist it but it was just there in my backpack one night after the first battle. I just couldn't stop myself. Forgive me! Please!" Aron drops to the ground broken in front of Sosiel.
Sosiel's accusing face changes to one of compassion for his friend as he kneels down and says "Aron my friend. All you had to do was ask for my help and I would have been there for you. I will help you through this my friend. We have been through too much together to stand for each other when we need it." With that he grabs his holy symbol and prays over Aron and you can see him calm and the white pallor leave his skin.
Nodding his head in approval, Ian looks from Sosial and Aron back to the others. "I think we can leave dealing with this in Sosiel's hands." Looking back to the friends, he asks. "So Leothar is right, Shadowblood is some kind of addictive agent." He paused, hoping it didn't have anything to actually do with blood. "But why would Nurah risk her position as an deep cover spy for it, was she using as well or was there a more despicable plan?"
"Thank you, Sosiel, for your compassion and mercy."
"I don't know, Ian. But if sowing division among our ranks and getting us to turn on Aron was such an important goal, then clearly Aron's abilities are vital to our success. Since Nurah was willing to risk that much to weaken him."
"Well, we were about to make camp and battle the last army in the morning. With Nurah having escaped, the enemy probably knows that. Should we alter our plans and attack now?"
One more thought occurs to Leothar.
"I don't suppose there are any clerics among the army capable of, well, removing the touch of death. Fley and I both carry wounds to the soul from a demon that we battled."
As Sosiel takes Aron to rest Irabeth approaches the paladins and says "There is someone here to see you. He says he was sent by the Queen."
Fley tenses up. 'Who would want to see me? I'm a nobody.'. "Lead them in, please. What is his name?"
I hope Aron is ok.' Watching as Sosiel and Aron leave, Ian turns as Irabeth makes her announcement. Nodding in agreement with Fley, "Yes, no need to make the wait. Thank you Irabeth." Hoping it wasn't more bad news, Ian turns to see who it is.
As he is led over, Anton nods to Irabeth. "Thank you, Lady."
Presenting himself to the assembled group, he stands attentively. "Hello, good people. I am Anton Delevanus, of Kenabres. By order of the Queen, I stand before you to offer my blade in furtherance of our efforts against the fiends of the Worldwound."
”The honor is ours. I shall look forward to getting to know ye, as we recuperate for the night.” Dadna replied. Given that the Queen saw fit to send one man as her champion, Dadna reasoned that he must be of a caliber greater than the Paladins already sent as part of the army. ”Today has been a good day.” She announced. ”We have liberated our lost comrades and now many arm them. The traitor in our midst has been exposed and the Queen’s Champion stands before us. The siege has just begun, but it has begun well. Now we must decide our next course of action. I believe that it be best to consolidate our forces and drive the demons and their allies away from the city’s outskirts. The city’s defenses are not in proper form, which says to me that we can find a weak point to exploit when launching an assault. But if we push in now, we risk being caught between the defenders within and the heretics without. I wouldn’t risk our crusade as such. Thoughts?” She concluded, looking to her comrades, and the newcomer in particular.
"Welcome, Anton. A knight of Iomedae?"
"As I said, Nurah's escape might affect our decision, or not.
She knew we were planning to rest and assault the remaining army in the morning. Now that the demons know that, they might either slink away in the night, or else attack us at our camp.
So I wonder if we should press on and attack now, assuming our army is ready. It is risky, but I do not want to let them either escape or catch us sleeping."
Seeing the Queen's champion,'I hope the chief is right, another paladin of The Inheritor would be great.' Ian walks up and offers his hand, "Greetings Anton, I am Ian, a servant of of Iomedae."
Jesturing towards Leothar and Dadna, "Come join us in the discussion." Listening to Leothar's logic he turns to Anton, and asks, "Are you weary from the road, or would you be ready to attack tonight?"
Fley walks up to Anton with his hand raised, hoping for a handshake. "Greetings, Anton. My name is Fley Flaxon. Welcome to the discussion."
The gnome waits a bit, eyeing the newcomer every now and then. He's still on edge after the Nurah revelation. 'I feel deep down in my old bones that this one is a good one.'
Ardriel says, "Welcome, Anton. I am Ardriel Zinro. Your presence here will hopefully provide the final push we need to topple the demons here."
Ardriel considers the amount of daylight remaining before expressing support one way or another for an attack.
Anton nods, unconsciously fingering the Iomedan symbol hanging from the chain on his neck*. Nodding, he replies, "I am a dutiful servant of the Inheritor, yes."
Pausing to consider the matter of the attack, Anton frowns in concentration. "My heart says it is better to catch them now, before they have time to flee or prepare. If there is a chance to end this madness, I would risk it. Enough has been lost without losing more to waiting." He returns what he hopes is a resolute nod of affirmation.
Nodding approvingly, Ian smiles. "Good another servant of the Lady of Valor."
He looks to Leothar, then the others. "So shall we attempt an attack his evening?" He pauses, gesturing towards the army. "We may need to find a way to provide light for the army if the battle presses into the night."
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Having waged two battles during the day it is now getting near sunset. Irabeth reports "The paladin army has spent most of its divine abilities for the day. The human army is unscathed and equipped for battle but neither will have much sight at night versus the undead army. We can march on your orders."
** spoiler omitted **
"Right, the last army is the ghouls in the cemetery. I had forgotten.
Well, they seem to be guarding something. I think they are less likely to run away in the night. And Nurah may be leery enough of the ghouls to not run to them, but instead just get clear.
If the paladins' divine abilities are depleted, then fighting the ghouls could be a bloodbath.
I would suggest instead that we fortify our camp, set many torches and Light spells, and attack after dawn prayers."
”Aye. Let’s get to it then. I’m off to see to the watch schedules and posts. Nurah would know these, so we need to make some changes, and the men will need rest. There’s work to do.” She walked over to Anton and slapped him on the shoulder. ”Come, knight. I’ll show ye around as we go.”
Nodding in agreement with Leothar's wisdom, Ian gestures towards the camp. "I'll Help supervise the fortification of the camp and the procuring of more lights."
"Of course, ma'am," Anton follows the dwarven woman as she sets off around the camp. As they walk, he asks her, "Your band, did you also fall into the tunnels under the city when..." he finds he still can't bring himself to say it out loud. "...when it happened?"
”They did.” Dadna responded. ”They rescued me back in Kenabres. Me comrades, a band of knights, sought to sacrifice me. Said that me celestial blood would bless their weapons.” She shook her head sadly at this. ”Its been an honor for me to follow them since then. I was there with the wardstones though. Which is also why I was hoping to talk. Ye have the same…what’s the word? Aura. Aye, the same aura that I only felt at the Gray Garrison. I’ve nay any suspicions, ye be a Paladin and the Queen’s Champion. But I’m hoping that ye can tell me when and how ye got blessed.”
Anton listens, and realizes Well, no more avoiding it.
"It was when the Storm King struck down Terendelev, that I first felt the change coming over me." He pauses, sighs, and continues. "The Delevanus family was founded by her, just over two centuries ago. We were always told to keep that secret, but that seems pointless now. As the Matron was killed, I felt as if someone was crushing my heart within me. But at the same time, I was feeling... almost invigorated. An odd pairing, I know. But ever since then, I've felt different than before." He pauses, again looking over his new companion. "So then I wasn't the only one this happened to? Most interesting."
”Ah.” Dadna said, a thoughtful look on her face. Satisfied with his answer, she responded: ”So the blood of Gold Dragons runs through ye? That explains it. Personally, I’m convinced that the World Wound is being fought not just here, but between the Gods and the abyss. They struck a blow against us, and the Gods are using us to hit back. While I mourn yer loss, I’m glad that ye be here, and that, in a way, Terendelev continues to live on.”