Firas spends his time hobnobbing with his fellow zealots and crusaders praising Sarenrae, and showing off the blessing she bestowed on him with his scimitar. He tries to put forth a demeanor of confidence, but deep down the young paladin yearns for guidance.
George and his cousin exchange pleasantries for a while, "Horgus? Can't say I know who that is, but if you say they're solid, might be worth checking out."
Irabeth looks to Coop with curiosity in her eyes. "Oh? I suppose we could step into my office."
Coop nods.
"GREAT! LET ME ROUND UP THE OTHERS."
Coop fetches Firas, George, and Clancy.
Looking pained, Coop says "Looks like Irabeth is the authority around here at this point. Let's fill her in on what we saw."
Once ensconced in the office, Coop lays it out.
"ALRIGHT, SO WE WERE IN CLYDWELL PLAZA WHEN IT HAPPENED. WE SAW TERENDELEV DUEL THE STORM KING. WHEN THE PLAZA COLLAPSED, TERENDELEV USED HER MAGIC TO SLOW OUR FALL, SAVING OUR LIVES.
"WHILE WE WERE DOWN THERE, WE SAW SCALES—" Coop holds out his own for Irabeth to inspect. "THEY HAVE GRANTED US EACH SOME MAGICAL GIFTS, AND I SUSPECT THEY ARE FROM TERENDELEV HERSELF."
Coop continues in this fashion, describing their meeting with the Mongrelmen, the chiefs offer of an alliance with the people of Kenebres, and, most importantly, the Baphomet worshippers disguising themselves as crusading knights.
Irabeth listens to the tale intently.
"Well, that is quite the journey you all have been on. We did know of the loss of Terendelev as well. Regrettably we were not able to recover the body to tend to her properly." Frustration shows plan on her face, but clears up quickly.
"It was lucky you happened to find some allies in the darkness as well, and you say they are willing to assist? The more we bodies we can get on the field, they greater our chances of survival and success in ridding the city of the demons that are still present. As is, the Mendevian army is on it's way to support us. We just need to hold out a bit longer. The talk of cultists infiltrating the rank and file of the military and churches here is a lot more concerning though. You said you found a note that named locations? It might be too obvious what we were up to if I sent a whole contingent out there, but a small party that is not affiliated, you could do what I cannot. I know it's a lot to ask, but would you be willing to look into these sites?"
"I would be honored to undertake this task. Is there anything you can tell us about these sites? Most of us are new to the city. Also do these names mean anything to you? Any insight you can provide with help us in our quest."
George to cousin
"Horgus reminds me of Ol' Man Jake. He is the standard grumpy patriarch, set in his ways, and vocal of his choices. I think as long as he feels consulted, and at least considered, he will benefit the city."
to Clancy
"I seem to be able to infuse weapons with positive energy."
to Irabeth
"It would be my pleasure to assist the community."
"My scale allows me shield us against lightning and bitter cold."
"ALRIGHT, SOUNDS LIKE WE ARE IN. WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THESE PLACES?"
"Glad to hear you're all on board. As for what these places are, Topaz Solutions in an old alchemical shop and the Tower of Estrod is a library slash research lab." She makes a chopping motion as she says slash, then pauses momentarily considering. "The Nyserian manor though, that's a private residence of one of the cities nobles. Shame really, seems like nobles are always trying to grab for more power, or take it away from those around them."
Scanning the assembled folks, Firas does not detect any evil.
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"THANK YOU. WOULD YOU KNOW WHO THIS VORLESH COULD BE? WE'VE ALREADY DEALT WITH HOSILLA.
"ALRIGHT, I'M EAGER TO GET TO IT, THE LONGER WE WAIT, THE MORE LIKELY IT IS THAT ANY CONSPIRATORS HAVE FLED TO DREZEN."
"You don't know? Well, I suppose Firas did mention you were new to the area. Areelu Vorlesh. She's about as bad as they come. You saw the Storm King when he arrived, he's like the big hammer, smashing down on things. Causing chaos and havoc. Vorlesh, she'd be like a blacksmith, directing said hammer. The rumors say, she was the one that caused the Worldwound in the first place."
Coop whistles, impressed.
Firas squints his eyes angrily and sneers at the mention of Vorlesh.
"Well I have used the holy sight I was granted as a servant of The Dawnflower to scan the people here, and you can rest assured that no evil impostors have infiltrated this place... unless they have ways of evading the detection. If you have other paladins amongst your ranks, I recommend they use their sight often to watch over the gathering. Our enemy is cunning."
"I agree with Coop, we shouldn't tarry. Our window to catch these traitors in the act is rapidly closing. Let us hurry to the nearest of these dens of evil!"
"THINGS ARE PRETTY ROUGH THAT WAY, FROM WHAT I SAW. THINK I'LL SEE IF I CAN SCROUNGE A CLIMBING KIT OR TWO TOGETHER FROM THE MERCHANTS."
George looks at the the rough locations placed with objects on the table.
"Uhmm. I will go with group decision, but would like to make a suggestion. I would feel better if we go to the furthest place first. We don't really know how many demons have decided to make a lair around here. I expect at least few decided to stay and play."
"Figure we get into a small fight on the way there. We could hit the (#3), and still have enough juice handle a fight on the way back. If we feel confident, then maybe divert to another."
"I just worry about hitting a hideout, a fight during movement, another hideout and being out of resources far from base. I believe in luck, but I don't like to count on it, or even press it too much. I think I will look around for a couple of those little bird tokens. On the off-chance it is needed."
Never mind. I can't find nothing in this town.
"It looks like we are going to plan this as 2 events. First, we swing out to (1), then (2). We might be able to scale the interior wall, or brave the chasm where it meet the wall. After (2), we can swing wide to get back to the Heart.
Probably the next day, we hit (3). One of my kin is in the area. I have asked him to collect up some older warriors and non combatants to bring to Horgus. We could probably escort the group there. Make certain things are at least not unacceptable, and hit the hideout. That gives us a nice fallback if we get pressed for time, and don't want to travel at night."
With the battle plans laid out, the group departs from Defender's Heart and heads to the west. Following along the wall, it doesn't take long before a breach in the heavy stonework is located and everyone is able to climb over into New Kenabres (name of the district the Tower is located in).
Approaching the location you find this sixty-foot-diameter gray stone tower is missing the bulk of its upper floors—some terrific force smashed its upper sections away, creating huge mound of rubble north of the building and leaving the tower now a mere stump with a jagged top.
Firas will scan the area with paladar and mundanely.
"KIND OF MAKES YOU HOPE WE DON'T FIND WHATEVER DID THAT.". Coop says as he draws the morningstar, and his eyes flash gold as he prepares himself for combat.
George looks around under Detect Magic.
As each tries to assess the situation at hand, Firas does not detect any evil in the area, though he is aware that the stonework is quite sturdy. For Clancy, this area seems to have been where some direct conflict had taken place. There are burns and blood all around the streets, as well as boot and other tracks, though it is quite difficult to get an actual read on their number. George does not detect magic on the streets, beyond that of what his allies are carrying.
"ALRIGHT, LET'S GET TO GETTING." Coop begins approaching the entrance to the tower.
The front entrance is a heavy looking set of double doors that are closed.
Firas approaches the door, sword and shield at the ready, maintaining his holy gaze.
Coop stows his weapon, and once everyone else is ready, thumps on the door.
There are sounds to be heard inside, but the thick wood muffles the words, though it sounds like just a casual conversation to Clancy.
Firas detect faint traces of evil inside, as he spends a moment longer, he picks up that there are two auras nearby.
Coop knocks, and there is a shuffle for a moment, before a stout looking man opens the door. "Yes?"
"I'VE NEW MATERIALS FOR THE ARCHIVES."
The man at the door smiles and waves the four of you inside, then shuts the door. There is another man here as well, he hands each of you a bedroll and a bowl with what looks like soup.
The ground floor of the tower is now open to the air—a tangle of wooden supports above being all that remains of the building’s upper stories. Two rubble-filled pools flank a central walkway that crosses to an open area with a few shelves, a desk and chair, and a flight of stairs leading down.
"Pick any spot ya like on the the floor, but you should go talk to Faxon first." The stout man will point towards the stairs.
Coop nods, and sets the beroll and the soup down.
He glances at the others and then starts down the stairs.
Firas stifles a sneer as he sizes up each of the people he passes, making note of faces, armor, weapons. All the while he continues concentrating on his paladar.
George puts on a blank face as he grips his polearm. Nodding thanks to the on talking, he heads toward the stairs.
hunch if they are going to jump us.
Clancy detects no overt hostility, toward him or his allies. Though the two in the main room do seem a tad grumpy over something.
Descending the stairs, you find a semicircular room that is rather empty except for a few bookshelves against the walls and a single desk and chair sit in one corner. A huge set of wood and metal double doors stands in the south wall. A tiefling stands to one side looking over some papers on the desk. He turns as you all approach. "Well then, tell me, have you found anything worthwhile?"
Firas does detect faint traces of evil on this man.
George smiles. "Mostly roaming around. It has been a productive few days. We took out a cavalier and some of his followers. Killed everyone we found in the residence of an Eagle Knight officer. A few other small groups." He pulls out his belt pouch and jingles all the gold left from his purchases. "We even found a few merchants still doing business. Figured easier to move around with coin, than lugging around their gear. If we got time, we can convert more. Do you want us to convert anything else, or do we have time to rack out? But if you got a mission, we got enough juice left to handle it."
”No, that sounds sufficient. Soon enough, Minagho will be sending us to a fresh city. Go back up and get some rest.”
He points towards George, ”You, come fill out the ledgers.”
George shakes his head sadly.
Firas takes the hint and secretly breathes a sigh of relief that he doesn't have to hide his contempt any longer. He takes the scimitar he'd taken out to display to the tiefling as part of the ruse, and lashes out at the villain's throat, hoping to silence him quickly.
Round 1
Skald Song
17 Faxon
13 George 27/27
12 Clancy 25/25
11 Coop 30/30
08 Pink
07 Green
07 Firas 31/31
George begins making an uncomfortable ruckas and Firas steps in closer to slash at the man. The red skinned Faxon, pivots easily to one side, causing Firas to overextend.
"The faithful know better than to carry that around openly. It draws too many greedy eyes. You overplayed your cards here. [larger]DIE![/larger]"
The tiefling steps back from the group and casts a spell directed at George.
another +4 vs. bardic performance, language-dependent,and sonic
Spellcraft is untrained
Coop draws the morningstar as he strides forward (drawing from Faxon).
If hit, spending a swift and a point of Abjuration focus to counterstrike.
Coop then swings a wide overhand blow at the tiefling.
"Stuck in the middle with you."
"I'll delay reinforcement. Yell if needed."
With that George presses his hand over his eyes. "Mister Cellophane"
Faxon tenses as Coop approaches, but with no weapon to hand, does not react.
Pink and Green come down the stairs drawing their weapons, with pink running directly into George.
Round 1
Skald Song
17 Faxon
13 George 27/27
12 Clancy 25/25
11 Coop 30/30
08 Pink
07 Green
07 Firas 31/31
"You will feel the wrath of the dawnflower!"