"ALRIGHT, NICE GOING, GANG!"
It felt nice to outnumber our enemies again.
"Yes, well done, all! Now let us see what it is that these creatures were guarding."
Shake it off
George casts a few CLW on Testu.
After searching, Firas kneels down in prayer.
My lady, I beseech the aid of your holy light to cleanse the darkness that permeates this place. Help us restore the sanctity of this final resting place.
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Coop searches the area with Firas.
Searching the area you find nothing of value in the darkness.
Returning to the knights following the battle, the group is able to rest and heal any injuries without issue.
Firas approaches Sosiel, "Good to see you, Sosiel. In our exploration of the vault within Drezen's cemetery, we found the place inhabited by berbalangs I believe George called them. We slayed the creatures ut an unnatural darkness still lingers. I understand you are an experienced cleric, do you have the ability to reconsecrate the area?"
"Ah, indeed I can. I wasn't prepared for such a thing today, but I could do it tomorrow if that will work?"
"Of course. Although given our experiences of late, it would be a good idea to make that particular spell a consistent preparation. It seems clear that the demonic forces are intent on befouling every holy place they can."
The heroes are able to make their way back to camp, and recruit Sosiel to aid in cleansing the forsaken vaults. The following day, he is able to make short work of it, and in doing so, the darkness lingering also dissipates. No longer hidden in the darkness, faint dark shapes drift out from the walls and floors. As the light shines on them, they start to glow with a soft blue aura. Grisly, torn visages of the undead begin to form back into humanoid shapes, most wearing gleaming armor. Slowly, the light begins to fade and the ghosts along with it, expressions of peace on their faces.
There are however, fresh reports of equipment failing in the camp. Several of the sets of armor have had their straps damaged or destroyed. Nothing that can't be replaced or repaired. One of the knights brings it up that random little problems like this keep popping up.
"HUH, THAT'S PROBABLY NOT GOOD. YOU GOT ONE OF THESE UNTOUCHED AND UNREPAIRED WE COULD HAVE A LOOK AT?"
Firas sneers, "This sounds like sabotage to me. I fear we have a traitor in our midst. Perhaps even a demon in disguise or hidden from sight. We should pool together our magic to help root out any such infiltration. I can detect the presence of evil beings and those with strong evil in their hearts, but strong illusions can fool my senses. Can any of us pierce the veil of invisibility magic? How about disguise magic? Then again it could just be a misguided soul who acts not out of malice but cowardice or even coercion of threat to a family member or the like. Who among us is good at insight of character?"
"IXNAY ON THE ABATOUERSAY, THERE, FIRAS. MIGHT NOT BE GOOD FOR MORALE IF PEOPLE THINK THERE'S A TRAITOR IN OUR MIDSTS." Coop screams conspiratorially.
"I CAN'T PIERCE ILLUSIONS, BUT I MAY BE ABLE TO PSYCHICLY DIVINE WHO IS RESPONSIBLE IF I CAN GET MY HANDS ON SOMETHING THAT WAS SABOTOGED AND HASN'T BEEN DISTURBED SINCE."
The knight will direct Coop and crew to the location where the damaged armor was discovered. Several of the sets have been repaired already, but a few are still waiting for their turn.
Coop approaches one of the untouched items, and studies the area and the item at hand first.
He then places a hand on the object and closes his eyes.
At 2nd level, an occultist learns how to read information from items he examines.
Examining an item in this way requires him to spend 1 minute handling the item. If the item is a magic item, the occultist learns its properties and command word as if he had successfully examined the item using detect magic and succeeded at a Spellcraft check. This ability does not reveal whether the item is cursed unless the occultist’s class level is equal to or greater than the caster level of the item. If the item has any historical significance, the occultist learns one piece of information about its past (as determined by the GM). Finally, if the item was last used no longer than 1 day ago per the occultist’s class level, the occultist learns one piece of information about the last creature to use the item. This information might be a glimpse of the creature’s appearance, a brief vision of what it saw while using the item, or perhaps its emotional state when it last used the item. The GM determines what information is gained in this way. This functions like the psychometry occult skill unlock, but doesn’t require a skill check and can be used at will.
Coop stands and looks around grimly.
"NURAH. WE'D BETTER GO FIND HER AND SEE WHAT THIS IS ABOUT."
Firas nods and follows Coop in search of Nurah.
George looks shocked at the name drop, but recovers his wits quickly. Then with a sigh and head-shake gathers his gear.
Tetsu accompanies the other searching for Nuurah.
Heading for Nurah's tent, the group arrives and find that she is not in it. Asking around, no one has seen her for most of the day.
While the others ask about Nurah, Coop scans the inside of her tent.
"No sign of evil... yet." Firas reports.
Coop shows the bag to the others, opening it to reveal the two vials.
Firas wracks his brain, but comes up empty on what they are.
George's eyes go black for a few moments as he examines the bottle from all angles.
It seems we may have found the tempter with drugs.
Firas shakes his head with disappointment.
"Well all the more reason to track Norah down as soon as possible."
"Tetsu, can you track her?"
I can certainly try but with all the foot traffic from the army it's unlikely
Setting out in pursuit, Tetsu is able to notice the light tracks of the halfling bard as she skirted through the camp. After several minutes the group catches sight of Nurah, a slightly frantic look on her face.
Taking a fast approach and utilizing the assembled tents, Tetsu gets close enough to grab Nurah. Shock fills her expression.
"What do you think you're doing? HELP! This tiefling has gone crazy!"
Other knights in the area spring to action, and close in on the scene, most pulling weapons, but with confused looks as the see who the involved parties are.
her voice booming in an unearthly bass voice, TIEFLING?! THAT'S ALL YOU SEE HER AS? SHE IS MUCH MORE THAN THAT. SHE IS KIND. EMPATHIC. FORGIVING. QUALITIES I DO NOT POSSESS! And calming down a bit. For your sake, I pray you committed no evil and this is all a misunderstanding.
Firas scans the area with his second sight, while raising his hands in an effort to try to calm the knights that pulled weapons.
"Peace, friends. We are all allies here." he starts to say before turning to George, "Probably best to let you do the talking."
Seeming shaken, but still defiant, "See how she talks? She's being controlled by some evil force! Someone stop her, before it's too late! HELP!"
A few of the knights move closer to try and intervene.
"It is your actions that reek of evil influence. You try to incite these brave knights to violence against one of their own. Calm yourself and we can all resolve this rationally." he says with hands still raised.
Tetsu smiles one of those, "I told you so" smiles, shaking her head slightly, almost pityingly. Yes, I've heard that line may times. From people she grew up with as they put her to the stake. From her mother as others flogged her simply because she was different. And through it all I have protected her. And these pointing at Firas, George and Coop have accepted her. Without question. Without reservation. Her innocence is more than you can fathom. But you...you, act as one is guilty. Yet you have been accused of nothing as yet. Why do you protest? Is it perhaps you feel the shame of having betrayed that which those here would protect?
So we are supposed to think Succubi and Incubbi are paragons of goodness, with their beauty and honeyed words. Right now descendants of the First Crusade are are helping in the defense of Kenabres. Thought unpure for generations, they still came in its hour of need. Let us have everyone calm for a moment and look deeper into people's actions instead of judging their soul on appearance.
Nurah wrenches her arm free.
Indicating Firas, "You call yourself a champion of good and justice? I did not call for violence, simply that this... demon release me. With the dangers of Drezen right outside our camp, it's no wonder that she let herself get possessed by some other creature. But yes, let's pretend that the words that came out of her mouth were her own. Of course I would fear for my safety when grabbed by one such as her."
George is able to keep the congregating knights calmed. Most were looking confused by the situation and seemed uncertain if there was actually a problem or not, but were willing to investigate to make sure no true dangers had slipped into the camp.
The halfling continues, pointedly ignoring Tetsu.
"So, what is it that you need? You make out like I'm some sort of criminal here."
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"YES, YES, YOUR POINTLESS AND NOT AT ALL SUSPICIOUS RACISM IS NOTED. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY ACTS OF SABOTOGE IN THE CAMP. DIVINATION HAS INDICATED YOU MAY HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE. WE HAVE LINKED TO YOU THESE VIALS, USED TO TORMENT A FORMER ADDICT. PLEASE COME WITH US SO WE CAN CONVENE A MILITARY TRIBUNAL AND DETERMINE THE TRUTH OF THESE MATTERS."
"Fah. It sounds like a witch hunt. Or have you had something eating away at your brain too? Sure, whatever. I'll play along, and when everyone sees the truth...." Her words trail off and she shrugs. "Hmph. Not like you would admit any wrongdoing."
She holds up her hands and makes to be escorted, though she motions to some of the knights gathered.
"And you will make sure that these 'heroes' don't just take me off somewhere to disappear."
"THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION! YOUR ACQUIESENCE SPEAKS WELL OF YOU! WHILE PEEVISHNESS IS A STRANGE RESPONSE TO ACCUSATIONS TREASON, HEY, PEOPLE ARE WEIRD, RIGHT?"
As the interrogation begins, Firas just stands back, with his arms folded, staring at Nurah intently, watching for any insight into her motives.
Meanwhile, the expression on his face is clear: he knows what she did.
Nurah insists that the other knights accompany her as a safety precaution.
Firas doesn't detect anything untoward, only fear directed at Tetsu, and then when Firas gives her the stink eye, towards him as well.
The knights do advise, "That doesn't seem necessary sir. Please, keep your calm, unless her concerns have merit."