Elliot, the Red Heron |
Elliot nods at the cleric's estimation and rises. "All right, thanks. Well... we tried. For the record, it's not the fate of these cultists that worries me here," He clarifies mostly to her and Irabeth. "My real concern is for the mental state of whoever thought slitting a helpless prisoner's throat was an acceptable move. It feels like a step towards self-righteousness at best, a mark on the soul at worst. At the end of it is someone either becoming like Hulrun, or just like the evil we fight and claim to surpass. However, given all that's happened I can't really blame anyone. I just hope neither outcome happens to the Children, if it was them. They deserve better."
With difficulty, he takes the legs of one of them and begins dragging it to the exit. "Guess we might as well put them with the others now, and see if the priests wish to speak with their bodies later."
Verene Tanaquil |
Oh okay, I was just not understanding how much time had passed and which things had been done. Scratch all that deliberating then — Verene would just think it overwhelmingly likely that the First Children killed them. If it's been only 15-20 minutes (I think make whole has a 10-minute cast time) then Verene's longer but sub-1-hour buffs were technically still up, though I already removed them from her status bar.
"These wounds do look like they were cleanly left by swords or knives. Nothing to be done about it now. If you want to know more, Elliot, I would ask the First Children. I hope we will see them along with the dead to be buried in honor back at the Defender's Heart. Here— moving them will be easier if we use the disk." She pushes to her feet and continues using her floating disk to take care of the tasks left on their list before leaving the Gray Garrison: helping Thesius search the downstairs properly, moving all the heavy items they have found to the secret armory, taking all of the enemies' corpses outside so they will not rot inside the building (leaving the humanoids in neat rows and the demons with their fiendish creatures in a pile), and finally cleaning off the disk and piling it again with one rope-tied bundle of heavy objects while Elliot takes the other on a floating disk of his own. The two formerly tied-up cultists simply go with their compatriots outside, while she takes the rope back for reuse. Only after all the work of moving bodies is done does she ask Thesius for a use of his cantrip to clean up. She makes sure someone locks the dovecote window again from the inside and the front door using the keys found on Jeslyn when they leave.
Our understanding is that the First Children already took back to the Defender's Heart all of the bodies we wanted taken back there, right? So I'm ready to move on.
Azira Tal-Shirin |
”In all the chaos we might have missed a cultist…” Azira suggests without an abundance of concern. She helps finish moving the cultist’s bodies out of the Garrison and arranging them outside, then draws Radiance and prepares to set off for Defender’s Heart.
Thesius Monteblanc |
Earlier in response to Verene...
"It's stirring up memories of my father and the one that saved me...it's hard to think about on top of all of the other emotions swirling within me."
Now
"It does seem likely that we may have missed someone. They may have had a way to hide from our eyes, such as the invisibility we have used against them as well."
I'll get up a bigger post later, but did not want to hold anything up.
Worldwound GM |
The journey back to the Defender's Heart is cold, and there are still occasional sounds of fighting - whatever the effect the wardstone's destruction had on the demons in Kenabres, their cultists remain. Despite this, the champions and Irabeth do not have any trouble finding their way "home."
The guards at the Defender's Heart look even more anxious than usual - presumably the offensive has left them less well-staffed than they would have liked. "Lady Irabeth!" One calls upon seeing the group. "And everyone else! Quickly, open the doors!"
Irabeth nods wearily. "Send someone to gather the people in the common room. We've much to discuss."
If any of you want to seek out particular NPCs here, before she does the debriefing, please do. Also, Elliot, we can do the discussion about Righteous Eclipse with the Sarenite cleric from ages ago in spoilers now.
Merixia |
Merixia sheathes her bastard sword once the doors to Defender's Heart open, looking around the common room for Anevia and Aravashnial. With their injuries they probably aren't out fighting, and they would probably like to know that the party survived.
Verene Tanaquil |
Verene's spell protects her and Thamyris from the elements despite her light clothing. She keeps the floating disk in front of herself as they go, so she can more carefully control its naturally level path and make sure it does not pass over any crevice large enough to cause it to wink out of existence for lack of solid support. Directing it with her mind while staying alert for the dangers represented by the not-terribly-distant sounds of battle is a somewhat awkward process at first, but by the time they reach the Defender's Heart again it feels like second nature.
Since nothing they found seems particularly urgent, when they arrive she seeks out the First Children just to make sure they arrived safely, let them know everyone survived, and gather with them in the common room. Once she has done so, she and the disk drift over to the wall where survivors have been posting names and requests for any known information of their missing loved ones, to see if anyone has reported any news of the people she is looking for or if she can give closure to those looking for the unfortunates whose remains she has recognized along the way.
Elliot, the Red Heron |
Upon returning to the Heart, Elliot dissipates his disk in the nearest available room, depositing the bodies and found items there, locks it and looks around for Aravashnial first and foremost. His Master was the closest thing he currently had for a family next to Verene.
Afterwards, he inquires after the fates of Fenna and the other scribes and librarians from the Black Library, and of Klarah and her parents. Had any of them been escorted back already? If not, this was perhaps the time. If they were already here, were they involved with the fighting in some degree? Feeling reasonably fresh, he might be able to head out and assist in the other ongoing skirmishes, especially after re-preparing his spells... depending on the contents of Irabeth's message, of course.
I think Klarah was previously rescued but the Librarians barricaded themselves in the library. If that is false, Elliot blames it on his spotty memory. :)
It was near the end of the day that he saw a Sarenrite priestess, and an inkling of an unservolved matter was pickling his mind. "W-wait! You. Um... sorry, I can't remember your name. It was all so hectic and there were lots of missions we had to run in a short timeframe. But... you wanted to Discuss Righteous Eclipse? Do you know something of it?"
Thesius Monteblanc |
Thesius sighs upon returning back to the Defender's Heart. He was glad to see the place was still standing without issue. Upon entering, he finds a place to sit and think. His mind still whirling from the events and old memories that had been stirred up. He would need to deal with them sooner or later and felt continuing to push it off would only hurt in the long run.
Azira Tal-Shirin |
Azira seeks out the highest ranking priest of Iomedae currently in Defender’s Heart. Once she finds them, she turns over the two repaired helmets and gives a report on all the desecrated sites they had cleansed. Then she shares the sad news of the fallen crusaders whose bodies and been brought back to receive their final honors and rites.
Worldwound GM |
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Spoilered for ease of reading rather than any actual secretiveness. I figured after so long in a dungeon, we might slow down a tad for some RP, but let me know if you want to move onwards.
While Merixia can't find Anevia, she figures that the woman is probably with her wife.
Finding Aravashnial, by contrast, is easy - he is deep in discussion with Quednys Orlun, the proprietor of the Blackwing Library.
"It must have done great damage to the demons' efforts, but until we hear more from the frontlines, it's impossible to know... ah, the attack team returns, and... largely uninjured." Orlun says, looking at the pair. "Where are your friends?"
Aravashnial's ears twitch as he tries to determine who is present. Giving up, he sighs. "Quednys, who is it?"
The librarians were, in fact, rescued after you guys found the Defender's Heart was safe. Aravashnial was staying with them until then.
He listens to her report with a grave expression. "Thank you, Fourth Sword Knight Tal-Shirin. We haven't had the chance to speak with one another before, so let me also extend my condolences on the loss of your mother. She was a brave woman, and though I rarely had the chance to speak with her personally, I have heard tales of her feats for many years." He scratches his chin. "It is good that you sanctified the shrine and chapel. I'm certain the Inheritor is pleased with your actions. While I'm certain Knight-Commander Tirabade will tell us more, I'd like to hear your thoughts on what you found in the Garrison."
The priestess blinks at him before nodding rapidly. "Yes, I did. Thank you for remembering, but I cannot blame you for not noticing at the time." She looks at the black blade. "That is a relic of our faith and has been for many generations. Only a rare few are able to awaken its power. I believe the last was a woman who fought in the First Crusade... Aisha, I think her name was?"
"!!!" Righteous Eclipse makes a noise of shock. "That was her name! I'd... forgotten."
The priestess, blithely unaware of the interplay, continues. "She fell... in Drezen, when the citadel fell, I think."
Elliot, the Red Heron |
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Aravashnial's ears twitch as he tries to determine who is present. Giving up, he sighs. "Quednys, who is it?"
There's a tightness in his chest; a touching feeling of familiarity and happiness upon seeing his wizened mentor and surrogate father figure again. The magus chuckles once, his throat a bit dry, and fights back both the emotion and sudden rush of tears threatening to form. He was supposed to be dead. dead ! That he could even stand here and talk to Aravashnial again was an absolute miracle, and maybe, if Merixia hadn't been standing there too, he would have cried - briefly, of course - or given a hug at least, protocol be damned!
But he was pretty sure that would ruin whatever positive image he had built up during the fighting...
"Master, it's me! And Merixia Pentarian is here as well. I just wanted... to let you know that we did it! We got to the Wardstone easily, then I flew the Rod of Cancellation straight into it and it- well, it blew up. But not the way we thought!" He quickly summarizes, then adds."I'm okay. We're all okay. Better than fine, even! Some part of its energy was dispersed into us, I think. How that would work on a finer Arcafundamental level is something that might require a lot of study, but it's amazing and the practical uses-!" He blinks and slows down. "I mean... maybe it can all wait. Just, how are you? How have things been since we were gone?" He continues, a bit sheepishly.
Ah, thanks for the reminder. I left the time of day deliberately vague as I don't know if Irabeth's speech has an effect on our actions for the rest of it. But probably afterwards? I don't mind either way.
"I see... thank you for telling me." He solemnly makes the traditional, probably Qadiran in origin prayer sign for Sarenrae and bows his head. In truth, he felt much less composed. Wasn't her name technically a part of himself now? What of her identity? He had her memories to an extent. Was Aisha herself then also part of him? If it was, that meant he'd died seventy five years ago only to come back now. But hey, he'd just about died himself just now too so technically this was already his third 'life'.
"So she fell at the very start of the Second Crusade. I'm sorry to hear that, even if I knew it deep down. Is anything more known of her, if this relic is so important to our fate? And... could you tell me *why* it is important?" He grimaces and looks away. "The unfortunate truth is that both the Sword and I lost part of our memories. It has no idea of who it is, or of Aisha, any more than I do."
Merixia |
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There's a tightness in his chest; a touching feeling of familiarity and happiness upon seeing his wizened mentor and surrogate father figure again. The magus chuckles once, his throat a bit dry, and fights back both the emotion and sudden rush of tears threatening to form. He was supposed to be dead. dead ! That he could even stand here and talk to Aravashnial again was an absolute miracle, and maybe, if Merixia hadn't been standing there too, he would have cried - briefly, of course - or given a hug at least, protocol be damned!
But he was pretty sure that would ruin whatever positive image he had built up during the fighting...
"Master, it's me! And Merixia Pentarian is here as well. I just wanted... to let you know that we did it! We got to the Wardstone easily, then I flew the Rod of Cancellation straight into it and it- well, it blew up. But not the way we thought!" He quickly summarizes, then adds."I'm okay. We're all okay. Better than fine, even! Some part of its energy was dispersed into us, I think. How that would work on a finer Arcafundamental level is something that might require a lot of study, but it's amazing and the practical uses-!" He blinks and slows down. "I mean... maybe it can all wait. Just, how are you? How have things been since we were gone?" He continues, a bit sheepishly.
It's clear to Merixia's discerning eye that Elliot really wants to go give his mentor a hug, but is holding himself back for some reason. Surely it's not because she's there? But then, men can be strange about showing emotion. She elbows him in the side (lightly, mindful of her heavy armor) and leans over to whisper in his ear. "Go greet him properly, silly!"
Once Elliot stops talking, Merixia speaks up. "We figured you would want to know that the mission was a success and we all lived to tell the tale. When the wardstone exploded, five of us- myself, Elliot, Verene, Thesius, and Azira- saw visions of the wardstone network. Why the same didn't happen to Irabeth is beyond me. Past, present, and the future that would have come to pass if we failed in our mission." She shivers a bit at the memory. "Similar explosions of divine magic happened at every wardstone. The demons took heavy losses, but I'm pretty sure we just lost our first line of defense."
Verene Tanaquil |
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The Children linger in some of the further rooms from the main area, along with another representative of Neathholm - Lann, who rises to greet Verene. "Good day, Lady Tanaquil." He bows with a slight flourish. "I was speaking with my fellows about your assault on the Garrison. Pray tell what happened after they left."
"Good to see you again, Lann son of Rokk." Verene hopes she remembered his full name correctly as she bows with the same grave formality she would use for a visiting foreign dignitary. The First Children seem to place great importance on old-fashioned standards of decorum. With a friendly smile to make sure he knows no offense was given, she adds, eyes twinkling, "And please, call me Verene. I hold no title, not even by courtesy. It makes strange hearing indeed to be addressed as though I were my great-aunt Valeria!*
"Varel, Barok, Hedge, Lorn, Jan, I am happy to see you five made it here safely. After you returned with the bodies of the crusaders, we battled a half-fiend minotaur, the cultist who I believe raised those zombies, and then six babau demons. But by that point, Elliot had destroyed the last fragment of the Wardstone with the rod of cancellation. It did explode as we feared, but it harmed only the cultist, not us. We were granted visions from the wardstone network that made us believe many of the demons on this side of the border were instantly destroyed by that same wave of power. Areelu Vorlesh apparently took exception to this circumstance, and to the destruction of the artifact she had wanted to corrupt, and turned up to personally chastise us for our temerity. It... did not go as she planned." The characteristic understatement is wry in tone. "Essentially, the last dying flicker of the Wardstone's power protected us from certain death at her hands and the hands of her minions. I think part of it is still inside the five of us, even now. Why, or how, I could not begin to tell you.
"So we did a light spring cleaning of the Garrison, collected everything of use or value, and returned here." After a half-breath to consider, Verene adds neutrally, without accusing anyone of anything, "Elliot was sorry to find that his two cultist prisoners were already dead and could not be taken with us. As I doubt they would have found mercy here, I do not see it makes much difference except sparing them potential torment. Tell me, what have you seen since we have been gone, Lann? Does anyone know how our friends are faring in their battles across the city?"
*Great-aunt being the one who actually inherited the title Lady Tanaquil. I am assuming here that most Sword-Knights of Iomedae, and for that matter, non-titled children of titled nobles, would be addressed by courtesy titles, not because they actually hold titles and estates in Mendev's peerage. With a few exceptions (like maybe Irabeth, knighted for bravery?) So Verene is probably used to hearing people call her mother Lady Alma, but that certainly wouldn't extend to herself.
Elliot, the Red Heron |
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It's clear to Merixia's discerning eye that Elliot really wants to go give his mentor a hug, but is holding himself back for some reason. Surely it's not because she's there? But then, men can be strange about showing emotion. She elbows him in the side (lightly, mindful of her heavy armor) and leans over to whisper in his ear. "Go greet him properly, silly!"
Elliot takes an involountary step to the side when she pokes him. While he was fairly tall, he knew he was probably pretty lanky, his upbringing with his nose between many dusty tomes and pages doing him no favors there, and Merixia was pretty strong... well, and pretty in general. "A-Ah? You... think I should?" He whispers back.
He looks back at Aravashnial. "Um, Master, I'm sorry if this breaks protocol..." Then he steps forward to give the elf a warm hug. "But I'm really happy to be able to see you again. Thank you for teaching me all those things over the years. If you hadn't, I'm not sure I would have made it through."
She shivers a bit at the memory. "Similar explosions of divine magic happened at every wardstone. The demons took heavy losses, but I'm pretty sure we just lost our first line of defense."
Quickly unattaching himself afterwards, he nods at the cleric's assessment. "Yeah, and I think that with our containment fields gone and the demons reeling from the blast, the Queen has no choice but to go on the offensive. I wouldn't be surprised if a new crusade was quickly assembled to try and take back the land while they recover..." He ponders, thinking of the implications.
Worldwound GM |
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Orlun purses his lips thoughtfully at the explanation. "That is unexpected. I wonder why..." His brow furrows.
"Unfortunately I was not present at either the creation of the wardstones or the destruction, Elliot, else I would have a better sense of what has happened. As it is, I'm... not wholly sure I could explain even a part of it."
The human wizard looks increasingly grim as Merixia discusses the destruction of the wardstones. "I had feared as much, but from what I understand, it would have been much worse had you not destroyed it. Our network was going to fall in any case... and if you have new power now, well... perhaps that is an even trade."
At Elliot's hug, Aravashnial stiffens - he is clearly unused to physical affection, or perhaps just too badly hurt psychologically to reciprocate. "You are... welcome. It was my pleasure." He says awkwardly.
"I cannot speculate on what the Queen will do next, but I pray that it will be to send aid to us." Orlun says, tapping his finger lightly on the table. "Else we'll have to rely more upon you than ever before."
"We encountered minimal resistance as we returned whence we came, Verene." Hedge says. "A few cultists, the odd minor demon. Nothing significant. Then we saw the explosion, and we feared the worst."
"I have been sent as a spokesperson for Chief Sull and the other settlements in the city below." Lann says. "We cleaned up the passageway that you slew your way through, and that is where your allies passed through. I believe a handful of the squads have returned from their missions, but I have heard naught more of them."
That assumption works for me, Verene.
"You have awoken the blade, then? I'm afraid it has always been something of an enigma, and I don't know much about it. It is well-known amidst the crusaders of the Everlight, but the specifics have been... unclear."
The woman sighs, massaging her temples. "Important... how much do you know of these swords?" She gestures at Righteous Eclipse. "I'm no historian, so I can't say much of anything for certain, but I have heard that there are many of these blades - or at least, more than Righteous Eclipse, and that they usually work with - or against - their wielders to do great or terrible things. I believe that a cleric of Sarenrae in Kelesh blessed Righteous Eclipse, in the hopes of bringing it to the service of the Dawnflower, but... I don't know more. I'm sorry."
"I don't recall my creation, but it feels true that I was not forged by Sarenite hands." The blade notes.
Merixia |
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The human wizard looks increasingly grim as Merixia discusses the destruction of the wardstones. "I had feared as much, but from what I understand, it would have been much worse had you not destroyed it. Our network was going to fall in any case... and if you have new power now, well... perhaps that is an even trade."
Merixia feels her cheeks heat up a bit. "I'm not sure I would go that far. Yeah, I have a little more power now, but I'm still just... me." Still the uppity tiefling ex-slave who's too stubborn to back down from a fight and not nearly as well educated as a proper cleric. Father Darian did his best, but she had a lot of basics to catch up on.
At Elliot's hug, Aravashnial stiffens - he is clearly unused to physical affection, or perhaps just too badly hurt psychologically to reciprocate. "You are... welcome. It was my pleasure." He says awkwardly.
"I cannot speculate on what the Queen will do next, but I pray that it will be to send aid to us." Orlun says, tapping his finger lightly on the table. "Else we'll have to rely more upon you than ever before."
Aww, poor Aravashnial. Obviously he doesn't get enough hugs. Merixia makes a mental note to encourage Elliot to show more affection to his mentor. "Gods, I hope she does. Even with the demons gone and the cultists in disarray, there's so much rebuilding to be done, and I have no idea where to even begin with that. I can help heal people, provide basic nonmagical medical treatment, and clear rubble, but that's about it."
Speaking of healing... "Aravashnial, when you have a moment, can I talk to you in private?"
Azira Tal-Shirin |
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Azira smiles weakly as her superior speaks about her mother, and she unconsciously reaches up with her left hand fiddles with her holy symbol. “Thank you, sir,” she replies, “her absence, I’m sure, has been felt throughout the city these past days by all those fighting back the invaders. But I’m sure she made the demons in the square pay dearly for her life.”
Her eyes grow glassy with her final statement, and her breathing is slow and tightly controlled while she listens to Orin’s assessment of the cleansing and request for further details. She clears her throat and adopts much more soldierly posture and attitude as she reports, “The Inheritor did, in fact, approve of the cleansing of her shrines and chapel, and she demonstrated that approval with a brief manifestation of a glowing golden aura. It was greatly reassuring to receive a sign of her notice in the midst of such tragedy. As for what we found in the Garrison… the time and energy they gave to profane that which is sacred proved their depravity, and probably saved lives they could have been out destroying instead. There’s clearly a plan at play here, with their attempt to corrupt the Wardstones, and some sort of leadership structure, but—thankfully—the soldiers on the ground are undisciplined and guided more be there vile nature than what’s best for achieving their objectives. That may be their undoing in the end.”
”Also, when the Wardstone shard exploded, it… as the energy erupted out of it, I could feel it flowing into me, and much of it flowed through me and out but… it feels as though some of it has settled inside of me. That sounds crazy to say out loud. But, I feel it nonetheless. I don’t understand what happened or how—perhaps Aravashnial will have some insight for us—but I believe I know the why: some shred of the Wardstones’ power has been entrusted to me, and to my companions who shared the experience, so that we can use it to finally close the Worldwound. I know it’s not my place to decide who will go where or when, but whatever our next step is, I volunteer. I will not let this gift go to waste.”
Verene Tanaquil |
The First Children look at one another, though Lann simply looks intrigued. "Truly? It sounds as though Lady Iomedae herself offered you a blessing through this magic."
"We encountered minimal resistance as we returned whence we came, Verene." Hedge says. "A few cultists, the odd minor demon. Nothing significant. Then we saw the explosion, and we feared the worst.""I have been sent as a spokesperson for Chief Sull and the other settlements in the city below." Lann says. "We cleaned up the passageway that you slew your way through, and that is where your allies passed through. I believe a handful of the squads have returned from their missions, but I have heard naught more of them."
"My apologies for worrying you," Verene says to Hedge. "We are all fine, or at least—" she glances, worried, at Thesius where he sits alone in another corner— "We are uninjured, as you see. Lann, as Chief Sull's representative, I hope you will be a strong advocate for all the First Children in the city below to be considered as welcomed citizens of Kenabres and Mendev from this point forward. Taking back the Garrison and destroying the Wardstone could not have happened without your support. Without you, the war would have been lost. You are heroes, and every man, woman and child in Mendev should know it. We must put an end to the injustice and prejudice the First Children have suffered. I will add my voice to yours and support you in every way I can." She looks between Lann and their five allies, hoping they will see how serious she is.
"And, I am sure Azira and Lady Irabeth would agree with you in attributing what happened in the Wardstone room to Iomedae, while Merixia would attribute it to Ragathiel, Thesius to Desna's luck, and so on. But I must say, I did not perceive any god's direct hand in those events at all. Nor do I feel any call or communication from one now, even as I can see, understand and harness arcane forces I should not be able to without study. It felt more like the Wardstone itself had a kind of limited consciousness, or simply that its inherent magical nature is to ward mortals from harm and be inimical to demonic teleportation," Verene says thoughtfully. "We saw its... memories, I suppose, in visions. It was created in a ritual by many different clerics working together with Iomedae's herald, the angel called the Hand of the Inheritor. It witnessed Hulrun Shappok burning innocents in 4665, and of course Khorramzadeh's first attack in 4692, which cracked it—"
Her eyes widen. "—Oh. And the demon Minagho is a lilitu. That is important information the Crusade did not have before. That, and the books and documents we recovered from the second floor of the Garrison, should be given to the appropriate authorities as soon as possible. Only I'm not sure who they are."
Thesius Monteblanc |
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Thesius finds the moment out of the ordinary for him. He was use to being the life of the party, gambling and making people smile. Of course, it was a silly thought considering everything else that had happened.
Seeing familiar faces doing well and stepping up to their unexpected roles brought forth mixed emotions. He was glad to see them, but it felt as if he should be doing more in that moment.
With a shake of his head, he dismisses the thought. He doubted any would blame him for needing a moment. While it was clear the others were giving him room to breath, he would not push off any that approached him. However, he was not about to invite any over at that moment either. It was a good chance for him to start to recalibrate in a more earnest manner.
Despite it all, he could not help a small smile as he watches the cat playing a dangerous game beneath the feet of Klarah.
He makes a mental note to find time to converse with Ashlyn later, but he was not quite ready for that. The recent events having brought up painful memories of his father made him not want to give them further hold.
Worldwound GM |
"Yes, we'll need a lot more population if we wish to even start restoring this city." He says after a moment. "Your talents will likely be most useful in wiping the rest of the cultists out, however, given your performance at the Garrison."
Aravashnial turns his face towards Merixia's voice. "Yes, of course. Let me know what you need when you are prepared."
A moment's pause. "I cannot say what our long-term goals shall be - I leave that in the hands of other, more wise minds than my own. However, in the short term, I believe we should focus on cleaning out the rest of Kenabres. I imagine that there are still cultists running amok, and we will have need of your skills and Radiance's powers." He nods at the golden blade at her hip.
"A most impressive tale." Lann says after a few moments. "Your information will no doubt be critically important to the Crusade... but I do not know enough to be able to fully comprehend it, I'm afraid. Much of what you say is unknown to me."
I am thinking of maybe having Irabeth's debriefing within the next couple of my posts. Thoughts?
Azira Tal-Shirin |
Azira gently unsheathes Radiance, its warm golden glow illuminating the dim room, and settles into her fighting stance. "We are learning to dance together fairly well," she says with a smile as she moves gracefully and rhythmically in a little circle slicing the air several times along the way. "We will both serve however we can."
I'm enjoying the RP, but I'm ready to move on whenever you are.
Elliot, the Red Heron |
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Merixia feels her cheeks heat up a bit. ”I’m not sure I would go that far. Yeah, I have a little more power now but I’m still just… me.”
Elliot blinks. ”’Just you’? What are you talking about? You mean you weren’t kicking ass and taking names the whole time? Could have fooled me.” The emberkin says, and smiles. “” As I recall,- and yes, I will freely admit my mental faculties have been spotty of late, but still! – you were one of the only ones of us not scrambling out of the poison cloud trap, for one, dishing out damage all throughout the assault AND the one putting us back together when we needed it most. I bet you could have done much of it by yourself even, especially after that gift at the end. I’d rather have you with us than a whole extra squad of knights - and I’m sure the others feel the same.”
The compliment is earnest and warm, even if he seems to realize something afterward and quickly looks away a bit awkwardly. ” Um… I mean… well, like I said.” Was that too much? But it’s true, so…
Later in the conversation, when Merixia asks to speak to Aravashnial alone, he takes the perhaps hint and politely excuses himself, claiming there was someone else he had to find and talk to as well.
Merixia |
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Elliot blinks. ”’Just you’? What are you talking about? You mean you weren’t kicking ass and taking names the whole time? Could have fooled me.” The emberkin says, and smiles. “” As I recall,- and yes, I will freely admit my mental faculties have been spotty of late, but still! – you were one of the only ones of us not scrambling out of the poison cloud trap, for one, dishing out damage all throughout the assault AND the one putting us back together when we needed it most. I bet you could have done much of it by yourself even, especially after that gift at the end. I’d rather have you with us than a whole extra squad of knights - and I’m sure the others feel the same.”
The compliment is earnest and warm, even if he seems to realize something afterward and quickly looks away a bit awkwardly. ” Um… I mean… well, like I said.” Was that too much? But it’s true, so…
Now Merixia is certain that her face is as red as her tail. Elliot really thinks so much of her? Really? "Um, uh... thank you. But no, I definitely couldn't have done it all myself! Everyone did an amazing job. You flew past that cultist in the bone armor to get the wand to the wardstone like she wasn't even there."
Once Elliot has excused himself, Merixia approaches Aravashnial and offers him her arm. She guides the blind wizard to a secluded corner where (hopefully) they won't be overheard. "I just figured out how to cast third level spells today, including remove blindness. So... I know this is an intrusive question, but are your eyes still there? If there's anything left of them, I think that spell can restore your sight."
Once Aravashnial has answered the question, I'm good to either cast remove blindness and move on or just move on.
Verene Tanaquil |
Lann and the others listen in fascination to Verene's summary of the situation, though a few of the Children look somewhat baffled at the array of topics and the speed at which she shares them.
"A most impressive tale." Lann says after a few moments. "Your information will no doubt be critically important to the Crusade... but I do not know enough to be able to fully comprehend it, I'm afraid. Much of what you say is unknown to me."
"Beg pardon, I was rambling. The visions are not important now," Verene says with slight impatience, clearly at herself rather than the Children. "What is important is the first part: what comes next. You are the heroes who came to the aid of the Crusade in its darkest hour. Now is the time to correct the injustices your people have suffered and ensure the First Children of the Crusade are accorded the respect and freedom they have always deserved."
Fine with going to Irabeth's speech soon, GM. Just hoping the First Children will have something to say either way about the idea of pushing for the Crusade/Mendev to recognize their people as equal citizens again and let them come out of hiding etc.
Elliot, the Red Heron |
Slightly earlier
"Um, uh... thank you. But no, I definitely couldn't have done it all myself! Everyone did an amazing job. You flew past that cultist in the bone armor to get the wand to the wardstone like she wasn't even there."
"Really? Well, thanks..." He scratches the back of his head, making a few embers fall down from the motion. Caught in some sort of internal debate, he doesn't seem to notice her blush. "But I'm not sure I deserve such praise. At the time, I just... wanted to get there as fast as possible, as far away from the group as I could. I knew it would probably explode, and figured that just maybe, if I could cross that distance quick enough, you might survive the blast. But in doing so, I probably endangered the mission... It worked out with the cultist, but less well against the minotaur - as much as I like taking giant axes to the chest," He gives a wry grin. "Just, ah, don't tell Irabeth, all right?"
He glances from her to his teacher and the keeper of the black library, both mere feet away and also privy to this entire conversation - including the admission of his potential screwup. And his use of conveniently ambiguous singular/plural pronouns in English. "Um, I... think I'll be going now. There was someone who claimed they could tell me something about Righteous Eclipse and I should probably go hear them out. It was nice talking to you all." And with that, he leaves with brisk pace.
""I'm no historian, so I can't say much of anything for certain, but I have heard that there are many of these blades - or at least, more than Righteous Eclipse, and that they usually work with - or against - their wielders to do great or terrible things. I believe that a cleric of Sarenrae in Kelesh blessed Righteous Eclipse, in the hopes of bringing it to the service of the Dawnflower, but... I don't know more. I'm sorry."
He sighs. Working against their wielders as well as for them? Great. That totally isn't worrying. "Well, that is more than I knew previously. When we clear out the city, I hope to consult the Black Library, what books remain, anyway, on the topic. Yet, do you know of any reference to it Howling? As in, the moon or wolves? I think the cultist who had it previously spoke of the Howling Moon. And I think I heard it howl in delight when I channeled it full of power. I'm just unfamiliar with references to such in our faith?"
"Eclipse, are you feeling all right? You acted a bit oddly back there, in the wardstone room..."
I'm ready to go to the debrief.
Worldwound GM |
Once the pair leave, Aravashnial stiffens at Merixia's question. He looks briefly offended, but takes a breath. "No. They are gone. The whip destroyed them." He gestures at his blindfold. "I would not, if it is all the same to you, show you the damage. My pride is hurt enough as it stands."
"Some would be even more eager to reclaim the practices of their ancestors." Hedge says.
"Or rejoin the Church of Iomedae. If they would have us." Lorn adds.
Lann nods. "It will not be easy. There is much distrust for the surfacers, and I have already seen that they do not find me pleasing to look at - they fear me, as is the wont of all mortals when faced with aught different from themselves."
"But we have taken too much of your time already." He continues. "Let us be off, that we might hear the Knight-Commander's words."
Once everyone has gathered in the common area, Irabeth clears her throat. "Friends. You have likely heard much of our plan in the past two days. To destroy the wardstone and save the crusade from its corruption. I am pleased to announce that we were successful."
There's a susurrus of mutterings, many of which seem pleased, but with an edge of fear.
"I know how you feel." She chuckles dryly. "But let me say this: my fellow warriors fought against mighty demons after the destruction of the wardstone, and did so with such power and skill as to put me to shame for my own clumsy attempts." She looks at each of the champions. "Verene Tanaquil, Elliot Worthane, Thesius Monteblanc, Merixia Pentarian, and Azira Tal-Shirin. These five heroes fought boldly against the darkness of the demons, and emerged victorious. They faced down Vorlesh herself and did not falter."
Many faces turn to look at the heroes - especially those who know them well. Whispers spread throughout the area as those who don't look around to identify them.
"Furthermore, through their actions, the demonic invasion against Mendev has been decimated and has returned to the pits of the Worldwound. This means that we shall see relief within a few weeks - the Queen will merely need to mop up the remnants of the traitorous cultists and march an army to Kenabres!"
Cheers go up - only a few at first, but then more until the shouts and whoops are nearly deafening.
I'll give you folks a chance to respond here.
"Your power awoke more in me when the wardstone fell. Perhaps my joy at that overwhelmed me..." The sword falls silent for a moment's time. "I am thinking more clearly now than I have since you first took me up. In time, I believe we will continue to grow together. But know this: I have never deliberately chosen to serve this demon prince of which she speaks."
Elliot, the Red Heron |
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It was... strange to be heralded so by soldiers, priests and wizards alike he'd considered his betters only days - a week? - ago. When the applause erupts, the magus' first instinct is to hide from it, walk away after acknowledging it, perhaps. Was he really that big of a hero? So many other valiant people had also given their very lives so that the people gathered here could tell the tale, and he wondered if they would be remembered similarly.
But perhaps... perhaps what these people needed now was not for someone to doubt their lavish praise, but accept it, and actually be that hero until such a time where they were no longer needed.
He raises his hand and waves it to the collected crowd, his eyes passing his blind mentor, Orlun, the survivors of the library and others he'd encountered on the way here.
But not his family...
"The commander gives herself too little credit!" He calls out, hoping his voice didn't waver and carried through the tavern. "She was with us the entire time, at the very front and facing the same evil! She deserves the same praise, as do the Children of the First Crusaders that were with us!" He adds, pointing to them.
Not knowing what else to do or say, he leaves it at that. It was rather daunting, being scrutinised so intensely by that many strangers at once. That would have to be his contribution to this perhaps historic moment.
Merixia |
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Once the pair leave, Aravashnial stiffens at Merixia's question. He looks briefly offended, but takes a breath. "No. They are gone. The whip destroyed them." He gestures at his blindfold. "I would not, if it is all the same to you, show you the damage. My pride is hurt enough as it stands."
Merixia sighs, her shoulders slumping as she takes in the news. "No, there's no need for that. Damn. I was really hoping I could help." She takes a deep breath and forces herself to straighten up. "Well, if I ever gain the power to cast regenerate, you'll be the first to know!" Most clerics go their whole lives without ever being able to cast such a potent spell. But given the power of the wardstone... someday Merixia might be one of the lucky few who can. "Oh, and this definitely falls under healer-patient confidentiality. I won't tell anyone unless you want me to. That's why I brought us over here, I think we're far enough away from everyone else that we won't be overheard."
Once everyone has gathered in the common area, Irabeth clears her throat. "Friends. You have likely heard much of our plan in the past two days. To destroy the wardstone and save the crusade from its corruption. I am pleased to announce that we were successful."
There's a susurrus of mutterings, many of which seem pleased, but with an edge of fear.
"I know how you feel." She chuckles dryly. "But let me say this: my fellow warriors fought against mighty demons after the destruction of the wardstone, and did so with such power and skill as to put me to shame for my own clumsy attempts." She looks at each of the champions. "Verene Tanaquil, Elliot Worthane, Thesius Monteblanc, Merixia Pentarian, and Azira Tal-Shirin. These five heroes fought boldly against the darkness of the demons, and emerged victorious. They faced down Vorlesh herself and did not falter."
Many faces turn to look at the heroes - especially those who know them well. Whispers spread throughout the area as those who don't look around to identify them.
"Furthermore, through their actions, the demonic invasion against Mendev has been decimated and has returned to the pits of the Worldwound. This means that we shall see relief within a few weeks - the Queen will merely need to mop up the remnants of the traitorous cultists and march an army to Kenabres!"
Cheers go up - only a few at first, but then more until the shouts and whoops are nearly deafening.
This is one situation that Merixia was not at all prepared for. She came to Kenabres thinking that she would be merely one of many crusaders, not a lauded heroine! Hesitantly, she waves to the crowd, tail curling around her leg in discomfort. Being the center of attention is rarely a good thing for tieflings. They might cheer now, but all it'll take is one misstep. How many of these people agreed with Hulrun Shappok? How many would happily drive me out of this refuge if I didn't have Irabeth and Anevia backing me up?
Given the number of tieflings she's seen with the cultists, the racial hostility is only going to get worse from here as the people of Kenabres see the fiend-touched commit atrocities against their families and friends. Idiots. They're just proving the haters right about us. I'd rather eat ground glass than prove them right about anything.
Azira Tal-Shirin |
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Azira draws forth Radiance and raises it in a celebratory salute. As the cheers die down, she returns it to its sheath with a flourish. She smiles and nods at Elliot’s words and offers, “well spoken, Elliot, the knight commander and our allies from Neathholm fought bravely and deserve our thanks and praise, as does the Inheritor whose blessing was on us. And as we celebrate this victory let us all remember that there will still be need for us to serve and fight as we finish the work go driving the remaining cultists from the city and begin rebuilding. Together, our victory begins here and will spread all the way to the Worldwound!”
Verene Tanaquil |
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Lann nods. "It will not be easy. There is much distrust for the surfacers, and I have already seen that they do not find me pleasing to look at - they fear me, as is the wont of all mortals when faced with aught different from themselves."
"I know. But deeds speak louder than appearances, or so I hope. That means we must make sure all of Mendev knows that without your aid, the Crusade, the nation, even the world would have fallen to the demons. It must be the first and most important thing they learn about your people. I have confidence that with such a beginning, in time they can overcome their fear and suspicion." Verene straightens her spine and nods as Lann moves them over to the others, to where Irabeth is preparing to speak. "Right."
"But let me say this: my fellow warriors fought against mighty demons after the destruction of the wardstone, and did so with such power and skill as to put me to shame for my own clumsy attempts." She looks at each of the champions. "Verene Tanaquil, Elliot Worthane, Thesius Monteblanc, Merixia Pentarian, and Azira Tal-Shirin. These five heroes fought boldly against the darkness of the demons, and emerged victorious. They faced down Vorlesh herself and did not falter."
Many faces turn to look at the heroes - especially those who know them well. Whispers spread throughout the area as those who don't look around to identify them.
Verene stands straight and calm with her hands clasped before her under Irabeth's praise, although she privately feels that for herself at least it is undeserved. Meanwhile Thamyris quails at all the attention upon him and ducks into her hair. She meets the eyes of a few people she has encountered over the past few days: Anevia Tirabade, Fenna and her fellow librarians, Klarah and her parents, the priestesses Dorri Loskdam and Sheia, the quasit survivors, the half-elf Alea, the actor Rayyan, the master wizard Quednys Orlun; and with an effort gives them each a slight, wry smile. Relief and sorrow, weariness and hope are all tangled together in her gaze.
"Furthermore, through their actions, the demonic invasion against Mendev has been decimated and has returned to the pits of the Worldwound. This means that we shall see relief within a few weeks - the Queen will merely need to mop up the remnants of the traitorous cultists and march an army to Kenabres!"
Cheers go up - only a few at first, but then more until the shouts and whoops are nearly deafening.
"The commander gives herself too little credit! [...] She was with us the entire time, at the very front and facing the same evil! She deserves the same praise, as do the Children of the First Crusaders that were with us!"
“Well spoken, Elliot, the knight commander and our allies from Neathholm fought bravely and deserve our thanks and praise, as does the Inheritor whose blessing was on us. And as we celebrate this victory let us all remember that there will still be need for us to serve and fight as we finish the work to drive the remaining cultists from the city and begin rebuilding. Together, our victory begins here and will spread all the way to the Worldwound!”
Verene waits for the cheering from Azira's stirring words to die down somewhat before she speaks. "Today was a good day, for Mendev and for the world. But the demons are not defeated for good. They retreat, they lick their wounds, and they plot. Meanwhile, we are wounded, and our recovery will be long. Much of Kenabres lies in ruins. Everyone here has lost someone dear. We may not all be able to fight, or even to serve the Crusade itself, but we do not all need to in order to serve our common good.
"We can do it by small kindnesses and shared sacrifice, by shoring up each other's weaknesses and binding each other's wounds. By remembering that our similarities are more important than our differences. In the coming days, we will all need some part of the courage of Knight-Commander Tirabade, who charged Areelu Vorlesh alone while the rest of us were immobilized by magic. We will need to find within ourselves the generosity of the Neathholmers, who sheltered and fed five strangers when we would have died in the caverns below Kenabres. And we will need to mirror the decency and integrity of the First Children of the Crusade, who answered the call and came to aid us in our most desperate hour despite decades of being shunned by the surface folk."
She smiles and looks, for a moment, much younger. "That is all a very long way to say: we mortals will win, because we are too stubborn to lose. Because we will get up tomorrow and honor our dead, fix what is broken or make something new, offer a hand to a stranger or fall in love, all the while held up by each other in a thousand thousand known and unknown ways. Because we all pull together. And because despite everything, today we are alive. And that is something to celebrate."
Worldwound GM |
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Elliot's words manage to cut through the cheers for a moment, and they grow quieter - more low, excited conversations than shouts and whoops of joy. Most of the eyes in the room turn to him - if any recognize him from before Armasse, he can't see it in this dizzying moment of public speech.
The First Children look alarmed at being called out, but they are applauded all the same, a few cheers and toasts going up to them. Irabeth smiles wearily at Elliot, but nods an acknowledgement nonetheless.
Merixia's wave does little to distract them from Elliot and Irabeth, but most of those who look at her do so with genuine gratitude in their eyes. It has been a horrific week, and apparently they are willing to accept her - at least for now.
Azira, like her fellow aasimar, garners more attention with her words. The content of her speech is applauded, though the cheers have faltered - whether because of grim acceptance of the charge or because it is an unpleasant truth - there is yet work to be done. Irabeth nods her agreement, though she doesn't get a chance to respond any further at the moment.
Like Azira's little speech, Verene's is met with mixed applause - but the seed of resolve that the paladin planted in the crowd grows stronger with each word she speaks. When she finishes, the cheers break out - not purely celebratory now, but mixed with genuine and firmed resolve.
Amusingly, Orlun is actually the same level as you all are now.
"Thank you for your wisdom, all of you." Irabeth says once the cheering has died down. "As Azira and Verene have said, we still have much to do before the Queen's forces arrive. There are doubtless cultists who remain in the city, and this is not their home." She looks over the crowd.
"It's ours... but not just ours. Some of our expeditions have come back with word of other, smaller groups of survivors, in particular to the west in the northern part of New Kenabres, a handful in the southwestern Gate District, and another collection in the northern Gate District."
She folds her hands. "Our fighters will be returning over the next day from their brave gambits to distract the cultists and the demons from our successful foray. Welcome them back as heroes, for it is heroes that they are, just as much as myself or my companions."
Irabeth claps her hands. "On to the more serious matters. Over the next few days, I will have more assignments for those of you who are willing and able to go out into the city. Those of you who wish to help but aren't willing to go out into the city, speak with Master Otai," the weathered proprietor of the Heart raises his hand in acknowledgement, "because he'll have ideas for you."
She grins, clapping her hands. "Alright, now that that's all out of the way, on to the celebration!"
Elliot, the Red Heron |
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Elliot sighs, relieved, when his friends turn out to be much more eloquent than him, especially his older and definitely wiser sister. And Azira had a real gift for rousing people, as could perhaps be expected of a direct favored of Iomedae. Merixia, on the other hand, was perhaps even more subdued than him in that moment and part of him wanted to try and give her a show of support, but he wasn't sure what to do, especially in this situation.
Fortunately, in the end, the reaction to their words is postive for each of them, and he is about to go for a quick drink and go back out into the city to join these other rescue teams when-
""Alright, now that that's all out of the way, on to the celebration!"
Elliot blinks. "W-Wait. What celebration? Don't we have to go out and clear-"
He takes a nervous step back as an incoming tidal wave of partying crusaders seems intent on swallowing him...
Thesius Monteblanc |
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Thesius takes in the site as Irabeth recounts the recent events and his comrades do their best to keep her honest about them. A smile on his face knowing full well they would not allow those who helped not to be praised as well. It was a concerted effort and while she may want to point them out in particular, they were not about to take that laying down.
Taking the lightening mood in stride, he does his best to shake off his contemplations and join in the festivities. Taking the time to seek out those he saw earlier.
"Klarah, how has your practice been going?" he asks while gesturing towards the sword at her hip. His eyes darting shortly after to the cat still lingering about her. "And who is your new friend?"
Verene Tanaquil |
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Verene beams about the room with general goodwill as Irabeth calls a beginning to their celebration, and joins happily in the festivities, laughing and chatting away with those around her as easily as a comfortable matron at a village fete. She is clearly in her element now, in a way she perhaps has not been, or has not allowed herself to be, since Armasse: she has no trouble finding a kind word, an interesting question, or a gentle jest for everyone, putting her excellent memory for names, faces and interests to good use. She discreetly steers conversation away from painful topics and worries for the future. If asked, she treats her own role in the extraordinary events of the day as marginal and disclaims credit, preferring to assign it equally to all her more martial companions. (Her modesty is clearly unfeigned, for her dispassionate private assessment is that Elliot, Azira, Merixia, and Thesius could easily have done all the group did today if it had just been the four of them, Terendelev's scales, and the wand of cure light wounds.)
She does her best to circulate and spend some time with each small knot of people present. Especially if Merixia or the First Children seem uncomfortable and inclined to keep to themselves, she insists on dragging them over to others and acting as a kind of social lubricant while they get to know each other. She particularly wants them to meet those who seem likely to be openminded and accepting but may be too intimidated to strike up a conversation; those who can talk easily with them about training, weapons or tactics; and most of all, those whose good opinion and social influence she suspects could be crucial to the Children's fortunes in the coming days, when the glow of victory wears off and people return to old habits of suspicion and mistrust.
Throughout, she keeps a full glass and makes sure others' are as well, but drinks sparingly herself, her merriment owing more to general high spirits than to liquor. At some point she makes sure to join Irabeth and Anevia, whom she is not shocked to see stay in each other's company the entire afternoon. With no one else around to hear, she briefly breaks her self-imposed rule of not mentioning the struggles of the recent past or future. "I would ask to be included in any undertaking to find other survivors or bring them to safety, whenever it occurs. There are those dear to me yet unaccounted for, and this echo of power left with me by the Wardstone explosion is more versatile than I ever knew possible for arcane magic, making it highly suited to address unpredictable needs and situations. But I do not know if it will last, or for how long."
Worldwound GM |
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Spoilering again because of formatting rather than secrets. I'll move us on when everyone has had a chance to decide with whom/whether they want to RP post-speech
"It's been going well. I've been having... dreams, I guess. Keseph here just sort of woke me up after one of them, and now we're... bonded. It's strange." She says somewhat plaintively. After a moment, she brightens. "But I'm doing very well! Sixth Sword Knight Hakon says that I'm a natural."
She hesitates a moment. "Uh... what happened over there? What's it like, having some sort of new power now?"
The Tirabade couple look at Verene when she comes to them. "Of course, Verene. You'll be a welcome addition." Anevia says with a wry grin. "We'll be working together, then, because I'm doing some of that."
Irabeth coughs.
"Well, mostly at the administrative stuff, admittedly." She sighs, waving her free hand at the cane she is still using. "But if you've got magic you can turn towards that, it'd be a great help. Aravashnial, well... he has a very limited repertoire at the moment, and Quednys isn't a diviner."
Merixia |
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She does her best to circulate and spend some time with each small knot of people present. Especially if Merixia or the First Children seem uncomfortable and inclined to keep to themselves, she insists on dragging them over to others and acting as a kind of social lubricant while they get to know each other. She particularly wants them to meet those who seem likely to be openminded and accepting but may be too intimidated to strike up a conversation; those who can talk easily with them about training, weapons or tactics; and most of all, those whose good opinion and social influence she suspects could be crucial to the Children's fortunes in the coming days, when the glow of victory wears off and people return to old habits of suspicion and mistrust.
Left to her own devices, Merixia would probably be nursing a tankard of beer in the corner. Verene, however, has other ideas. She can't bring herself to refuse the wizard's well-intentioned invitation, so she goes along with it. I guess I really should get to know more people. There's just so many of them though! Merixia knows what she's doing in a fight or when faced with the wounded or sick. At a party full of strangers, though? She has no idea. What is she supposed to do? Talk, right, but what is she supposed to talk about?
Nobody told her crusading would involve parties!
The Tirabade couple look at Verene when she comes to them. "Of course, Verene. You'll be a welcome addition." Anevia says with a wry grin. "We'll be working together, then, because I'm doing some of that."
Irabeth coughs.
"Well, mostly at the administrative stuff, admittedly." She sighs, waving her free hand at the cane she is still using. "But if you've got magic you can turn towards that, it'd be a great help. Aravashnial, well... he has a very limited repertoire at the moment, and Quednys isn't a diviner."
"I would be happy to help as well. I don't think I can do anything for your leg, Anevia, but I'll do whatever I can otherwise." Merixia shifts uncomfortably, feeling too many pairs of eyes on her. "To be honest, I'd rather be on a battlefield right now. At least I know what I'm doing there." And as demonstrated by the proprietors of Fine Fittings, even people who ordinarily distrust tieflings tend to be less picky when they're being rescued or healed.
Elliot, the Red Heron |
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Elliot does his best to greet everyone approaching him politely and remember their names, but it's clear he's uncomfortable, not even remotely used to this kind of attention. He doesn't know how to behave, let alone dance or drink. All the noise and the warmth and the mixture of sweat and alcohol and all those bodies pressing in on him- it was completely different from a stage performance and he hadn't even done that much.
At some point, he manages to nimble himself through the mass and stumbles out of it near those seated at the table, looking rather frantic. "Verene? Meri? Help! I need to get out of here. What do you say we sneak away and go find more cultists to fight instead? Like, join one of those other rescue teams out there! I swear that if just one more person tries to scoop an ember I'm going to throw up a fireball!"
He finally takes a deep a breath - and a slightly better look around, then freezes. "Oh. Ah. Hi commander, you're here too... N-Nice party, really..."
His gaze glides to the doorway, as if calculating whether he could make a clean break for it, or if magical assistance was perhaps needed. Which, coincidentally, was exactly what he was considering right about then.
Verene Tanaquil |
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Left to her own devices, Merixia would probably be nursing a tankard of beer in the corner. Verene, however, has other ideas. She can't bring herself to refuse the wizard's well-intentioned invitation, so she goes along with it. I guess I really should get to know more people. There's just so many of them though! Merixia knows what she's doing in a fight or when faced with the wounded or sick. At a party full of strangers, though? She has no idea. What is she supposed to do? Talk, right, but what is she supposed to talk about?
Nobody told her crusading would involve parties!
In response to Hedge, Verene claims, with perfect truth in her own view, that her spell that took down several tieflings at once was superfluous, for the warriors among her companions, Hedge included, would have accomplished the same result in perhaps another ten seconds. But she does not intend to sit around talking through the mission or their past battles, which not everyone can relate to. Instead she exerts herself to the utmost to find safe, quotidian topics that everyone will have opinions on and that will also reinforce the essential commonalities shared by every humanoid culture: handicrafts, local art forms and style challenges for the differently shaped with Sheia, Rayyan, Syras and Dea; strict training instructors of their pasts and swapping tips about caring for cold iron weapons with Iomar and Dorri; traditional remedies for various common ailments with Sheia, Aravashnial, Jovis and Coram; and of course, food and drink, with everyone from Kimroth Otai all the way to the poor quasit survivors. She finishes a story at her own expense about the first time she tried fermented mare's milk that causes even Quednys Orlun to crack a smile, and the flow of conversation breaks for a moment, as it sometimes does, into smaller groups.
Verene glances sidelong at Merixia, still smiling as she takes a sip from her mug. After a pause she says lightly, "What will you do, when the war is over?" Her tone is merely curious, but it is clear the question is not one she would have posed generally as part of her making-conversation program.
The Tirabade couple look at Verene when she comes to them. "Of course, Verene. You'll be a welcome addition." Anevia says with a wry grin. "We'll be working together, then, because I'm doing some of that."
Irabeth coughs.
"Well, mostly at the administrative stuff, admittedly." She sighs, waving her free hand at the cane she is still using. "But if you've got magic you can turn towards that, it'd be a great help. Aravashnial, well... he has a very limited repertoire at the moment, and Quednys isn't a diviner."
"If you have any question that could be answered by the local birds, or by sending some insects to look inside a building and report back, I am at your disposal," Verene says solemnly, even as her mouth twitches at how ridiculous the promise sounds.
Her good humor fades. "Unfortunately, the mysteries of healing are beyond me, even now. I am sorry. I can harm living creatures in countless ways, but as always, it is orders of magnitude more complex to create living things and tissues than to destroy them."
"Verene? Meri? Help! I need to get out of here. What do you say we sneak away and go find more cultists to fight instead? Like, join one of those other rescue teams out there! I swear that if just one more person tries to scoop an ember I'm going to throw up a fireball!"
However, her mood lifts again as Elliot comes tumbling over. "What, do they want to make keepsakes of bits of your hair? Poor Elliot! The life of a heroic young aasimar is not all roses, it seems."
Worldwound GM |
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Irabeth hugs her wife's shoulders tighter. "I have a few ideas on what sort of fighting you might be needed for, Merixia, but that is going to wait. I don't care whether you've all been revitalized by the wardstone, you need rest just as much as anyone. So." She waves a hand. "I'm not going to say anything more on that."
Irabeth waves her hand at Elliot's awkward introduction, her brow furrowing in a mock frown. "No. I don't think that's a good idea. Do you even know where any of them were supposed to be hitting? Stick around, or go practice out in the courtyard - there's not going to be many folks out there now."
Anevia snickers at Verene's commentary. "Anything you can do would doubtless prove helpful." She says sincerely, despite the crooked grin on her lips.
Azira Tal-Shirin |
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Sorry, yesterday was a rough day with my shoulder and I didn’t get to any posting.
Azira flits around the celebration with the natural ease of a fish in water. Several times she tries to make her way over to Irabeth—and the rest of her companions before too long—but each time she’s intercepted by another group of people wishing to thank her and to hear more of the stories of what happened at the Gray Garrison. Over and over she obliges. At first she really does enjoy sharing the tales and excitedly recounts different people’s most impressive feats.
With repetition, however, her true enthusiasm wanes (though thanks to her charm no listener would notice) and her mind begins to drift to all the work left to be done: scouring out remaining cultists, searching for survivors, recovering as many of the dead as they could. The thoughts begin as mere background distractions but as the repetition of stories drags on they grow more pressing: searching for her friends, looking for her mom’s body, a funeral…
She finishes the tale she was telling and smiles and nods appreciatively while the listeners thank and praise her, but in her mind she wrestles with a burning desire to run away, to run all the way home and curl up in her mother’s bed, to twist herself up in her mother’s blanket and smell her perfume on it, to open the gates and let loose the flood of tears she’d tried so hard to hold back. But this wasn’t the time, and she knew it. Victory had to be celebrated when it came so that everyone would remember in the hard days to come that it was possible, that more victories could be had.
Thinking and celebrating could no longer co-exist though, so she quickly downs several glasses of wine and heads for the dance floor.
Merixia |
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Verene glances sidelong at Merixia, still smiling as she takes a sip from her mug. After a pause she says lightly, "What will you do, when the war is over?"
"Go find another war. There's always more to be done, and Ragathiel expects his clerics to be on the front lines of the fight against evil. Being a cleric or paladin is a lifetime commitment. If I live to get old, like my mentor, I'll do what he did and teach the next generation." Merixia takes a swig of her beer. "Look, this is going to sound bad, but I like to fight. I especially like to fight for a righteous cause. I knew very well what I was signing up for as a priestess of Ragathiel, and I did it because I wanted to. Father Darian would have been perfectly happy to teach me to be a nonmagical swordswoman if I decided that this level of service wasn't what I wanted to do with my life. I wasn't his only student, just the only one who became a cleric." That had been the original plan, until she started dreaming of Heavenly armies and their fiery general.
Anevia smirks at Merixia, though there's an understanding light to her eyes. "I hear that. But..." She shrugs. "The people need this. Even if there's plenty to do, there's a need for release. Otherwise you end up... badly." Her expression darkens.
Irabeth hugs her wife's shoulders tighter. "I have a few ideas on what sort of fighting you might be needed for, Merixia, but that is going to wait. I don't care whether you've all been revitalized by the wardstone, you need rest just as much as anyone. So." She waves a hand. "I'm not going to say anything more on that."
Merixia sighs slightly, but nods to the couple. "Okay, I'll stop complaining. You're right; I may feel like I can take on the world physically, but mentally it was a long day." Hmm. Maybe there's some hot food to be had. She should eat something to soak up the beer.
Irabeth waves her hand at Elliot's awkward introduction, her brow furrowing in a mock frown. "No. I don't think that's a good idea. Do you even know where any of them were supposed to be hitting? Stick around, or go practice out in the courtyard - there's not going to be many folks out there now."
"Want to go find something to eat, Elliot? I could use a meal, or at least a snack." She smirks a little. "Maybe your admirers will leave you alone if you're with the big bad tiefling." Poor Elliot. Merixia wouldn't want to be in his shoes. All these people are bad enough, but she's not sure she wouldn't have fled if they swarmed her that way.
Thesius Monteblanc |
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Thesius kneels down and holds his hand out to the cat, allowing it to choose whether to investigate or not.
"I'm glad to hear it goes well and you have made a new friend along the way. Have you found a knack for magic as well?" he says while turning his eyes back to Klarah.
At the question, Thesius turns away for a moment. A look of thought upon his mind. Surely the deepening power within him had raised curiosity, but he had not put too much thought into it yet.
Turning his gaze once more to Klarah, he responds, "We fought our way in and destroyed the shard. To most of our surprise, we were not destroyed alongside it. Many of us empowered instead. It's likely what saved us in the face of Areelu and it feels as if my connection to Desna has strengthened. As if her graces fall more heavily upon me then before." With a smile and soft chuckle, he continues, "One might say that Lady Fortune shown her brilliance upon us."
Verene Tanaquil |
""Go find another war. There's always more to be done, and Ragathiel expects his clerics to be on the front lines of the fight against evil. Being a cleric or paladin is a lifetime commitment. If I live to get old, like my mentor, I'll do what he did and teach the next generation." Merixia takes a swig of her beer. "Look, this is going to sound bad, but I like to fight. I especially like to fight for a righteous cause. I knew very well what I was signing up for as a priestess of Ragathiel, and I did it because I wanted to. Father Darian would have been perfectly happy to teach me to be a nonmagical swordswoman if I decided that this level of service wasn't what I wanted to do with my life. I wasn't his only student, just the only one who became a cleric."
"It doesn't sound bad. Some people have a talent for fighting. The world needs warriors, and will as long as it has monsters. Whether they are shaped like demons or like mortal men. There are worse things than to be a mercenary who always knows her employer and his cause is worth fighting for." Verene pauses. "But is it all you want from life? To fight, or to teach, in Ragathiel's service?"
"I have a few ideas on what sort of fighting you might be needed for, Merixia, but that is going to wait. I don't care whether you've all been revitalized by the wardstone, you need rest just as much as anyone. So." She waves a hand. "I'm not going to say anything more on that." [...]
Anevia snickers at Verene's commentary. "Anything you can do would doubtless prove helpful." She says sincerely, despite the crooked grin on her lips.
With private relief that Irabeth has vetoed the idea of them going out to fight again today, Verene nods. "I trust you will find me when you need me, then. There is something I have been curious about, but inside the Garrison it never seemed like the right time to ask. What is the story of your father's sword, Lady Irabeth? Was he also a paladin?"
Elliot, the Red Heron |
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"What, do they want to make keepsakes of bits of your hair? Poor Elliot! The life of a heroic young aasimar is not all roses, it seems."
"Gee. Thanks sis. I wonder why the concept of hair made of a perpetual heatless flame is so interesting to people," Elliot dryly remarks. "I can explain all I want that it feeds on me and that No, you can't skip out on candles forever if you tie it to a stick, and that No, you can't brew it into a potion and extract Wardstone power from it - probably. But for some unknown reason, especially today, no one seems to be listening." He throws a worried look at Azira on the dancefloor. "I just hope they don't try and pluck all her feathers too, or such. ...Though I guess with moves like that, people will get distracted..."
""No. I don't think that's a good idea. Do you even know where any of them were supposed to be hitting? Stick around, or go practice out in the courtyard - there's not going to be many folks out there now."
He quickly stands up straight when Irabeth speaks, relieved that she wasn't admonishing him. Too much, at least. Man but the commander sure could be unintentionally intimidating. "Yeah, training. That sounds like-"
"Want to go find something to eat, Elliot? I could use a meal, or at least a snack." She smirks a little."Maybe your admirers will leave you alone if you're with the big bad tiefling."
"-Like something I might do later, as I am pretty hungry, come to think of it," He finishes and grins back at the cleric. "Hm, you'd think that between a fallen angel aasimar and yourself that we'd be pretty daunting to approach. I guess we'll just have to see for ourselves if these crusader folks are really as stubborn as they claim to be. Hey, maybe we should practise our villanous glares while we're at it!"
intimidate: 1d20 ⇒ 4
It is, at best, a smolderingly cute pout.
"Really though, it's weird to think I even have admirers. There was a time I was kicked around on the street, and now this. It feels so completely disconnected," He says to her on the way to the bar. "What about you? How do you feel about all this?"
Worldwound GM |
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No worries Azira. Hope things improve for you soon.
"Khaseph seems to think otherwise, though." She says slowly, running a hand through her dark hair. "I'm not sure why. Maybe I should ask some of the priests..."
"Oh, I didn't realize you were a worshipper of Desna!" Klarah leans forwards, intrigued. "But how do you mean your connection? I didn't think you were a priest..."
"Verene has a point though. There's lots more to life than serving the gods." A wicked smile graces Anevia's lips as she glances at Irabeth, who flushes slightly.
"Yes." She says simply, nodding briefly and trying to keep at least some of her dignity. Verene's inquiry provides her the chance to accelerate past it. "Dad wasn't a paladin, but he was a crusader. So was Mom, actually. He would make a good one, though. He taught me a lot about self-control and honor. Almost everything I know about it, actually." She shrugs. "When I left home for Vigil, he gave it to me."
Anevia watches Merixia and Elliot go, a contemplative expression on her face. Irabeth glances at her wife, a brow arching. She grunts something in Orc, and Anevia grins.
I think I'll move us onwards in a few of my posts - there's another neat thing that'll happen once your characters go to sleep.
Merixia |
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"Merixia, your resolve is admirable... I don't know much about Ragathiel, other than that the Hand of the Inheritor once served him." Irabeth says approvingly. "But it seems he has a worthy servant in you."
"Verene has a point though. There's lots more to life than serving the gods." A wicked smile graces Anevia's lips as she glances at Irabeth, who flushes slightly.
"Yes." She says simply, nodding briefly and trying to keep at least some of her dignity. Verene's inquiry provides her the chance to accelerate past it. "Dad wasn't a paladin, but he was a crusader. So was Mom, actually. He would make a good one, though. He taught me a lot about self-control and honor. Almost everything I know about it, actually." She shrugs. "When I left home for Vigil, he gave it to me."
"What, like marriage and stuff? Sure, if I could find a man who loves me for who I am, and doesn't think I'll magically settle down and become a housewife the minute I have a ring on my finger. And let's be honest. A tiefling is not exactly what most people imagine when they're dreaming about their future spouse." Merixia isn't even the sexy kind of tiefling. More of the 'rawr, I'm going to kick your ass!' kind of tiefling.
Elliot's interruption is extremely welcome at this point. She's had about enough of people poking into her personal life.
"-Like something I might do later, as I am pretty hungry, come to think of it," He finishes and grins back at the cleric. "Hm, you'd think that between a fallen angel aasimar and yourself that we'd be pretty daunting to approach. I guess we'll just have to see for ourselves if these crusader folks are really as stubborn as they claim to be. Hey, maybe we should practise our villanous glares while we're at it!"
It is, at best, a smolderingly cute pout.
"Really though, it's weird to think I even have admirers. There was a time I was kicked around on the street, and now this. It feels so completely disconnected," He says to her on the way to the bar. "What about you? How do you feel about all this?"
Merixia can't help but chuckle at Elliot's attempt at a villainous glare. Honestly, it's kind of adorable. "Yeah, it's funny. Part of the reason I wanted to become a cleric was to be respected. I mean, it was mostly so I could fight for a good cause and protect the defenseless, but very few people respected me for most of my life. Now that I have that? It's weird. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop, for people to turn on me."
Hahaha, Irabeth and Anevia ship it!
Elliot, the Red Heron |
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Uh oh. Is this the start of the crusader rumor mill? XD And I guess it's not gonna get any better the longer they spent together here...
Merixia can't help but chuckle at Elliot's attempt at a villainous glare. Honestly, it's kind of adorable. "Yeah, it's funny. Part of the reason I wanted to become a cleric was to be respected. I mean, it was mostly so I could fight for a good cause and protect the defenseless, but very few people respected me for most of my life. Now that I have that? It's weird. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop, for people to turn on me."
"Yeah, I get it. It feels too good to be true - something that doesn't usually happen to people like us," He orders a mead and some bread, though he was unsure whether the barman could actually hear him through the noise. "I mean... perhaps that's presumptuous of me. It's just... very rare to meet another person who can really understand what it was like growing up against prejudice, and then also not let it corrupt them. You're always so upbeat and personable, still fighting the good fight despite it all. It's... really refreshing. Makes me feel less alone, in a way."
His golden eyes seem to regard her fondly for a moment before it is broken by him getting his drink - and he takes a swig.
Fortsave: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
He downs it in one go. Hm. Did mead usually taste that way? It was strangely warm and bitter. Probably just the heat of the tavern getting to him?
"So, ah, I feel I need to ask just in case..." He hesitates. "...What are you going to do if Azira and I are guessing correctly, and that we'll be going on the attack soon? It'll be another crusade deep into the Worldwound, probably, whether they label it as an extension of the Fourth or the Fifth."
Merixia |
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"Yeah, I get it. It feels too good to be true - something that doesn't usually happen to people like us," He orders a mead and some bread, though he was unsure whether the barman could actually hear him through the noise. "I mean... perhaps that's presumptuous of me. It's just... very rare to meet another person who can really understand what it was like growing up against prejudice, and then also not let it corrupt them. You're always so upbeat and personable, still fighting the good fight despite it all. It's... really refreshing. Makes me feel less alone, in a way."
His golden eyes seem to regard her fondly for a moment before it is broken by him getting his drink - and he takes a swig.
Merixia has already had one beer, but she's not going anywhere else today. Irabeth made that very clear. Might as well have another. "Another beer please, and whatever you've got for hot food."
She turns back to Elliot. "It's not presumptuous at all, I feel the same way. Most people just don't get it the way you do. What it's like for everyone around you to write you off as a lost cause, fallen before you could even walk or talk." The heat rises to her cheeks yet again. Maybe she can pass it off as the alcohol? "It must have been even worse for you here than it was for me in Almas, what with Hulrun the Paranoid running the city and infecting people with his attitude. But you didn't give in, you didn't give up, and you didn't let it make you bitter. I respect that a great deal." Her beer arrives, and she salutes Elliot with her mug before taking a drink.
"So, ah, I feel I need to ask just in case..." He hesitates. "...What are you going to do if Azira and I are guessing correctly, and that we'll be going on the attack soon? It'll be another crusade deep into the Worldwound, probably, whether they label it as an extension of the Fourth or the Fifth."
Merixia blinks at him, a bit puzzled at the question. "I came here to fight demons, so that's what I'll do. Always figured that would take me into the Worldwound eventually. What about you? I know you didn't originally intend to be a crusader."
Elliot, the Red Heron |
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""It must have been even worse for you here than it was for me in Almas, what with Hulrun the Paranoid running the city and infecting people with his attitude. But you didn't give in, you didn't give up, and you didn't let it make you bitter. I respect that a great deal."
"Ah, thanks. That's... really nice to hear." His embers turn a shade of blue and he scratches them absently.
perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
"It wasn't all bad, though," He continues, seemingly not noticing her discomfort - again. "I mean, I didn't have a mentor like you did until I had Aravashnial. But my foster parents did their best, as did my sister, and they were great - protective and warm as they could be, I think. Just incapable of helping me control my fire nature, not that it was their fault in any way. Which reminds me... did you ever tell us about your family? If you did, or don't want to talk about it, I'm sorry. I'm just..." He vaguely motions around the side of his temple as his flame's azure glow grows deeper. "Curious to know more about you, and it's hard not knowing if I've forgotten anything important..." He glances away in shame. The memory loss was evidently still bothering him.
"What about you? I know you didn't originally intend to be a crusader."
He gives a wry grin. "Well, I won't deny that some part of me insists you would be fine without me. But... maybe it wouldn't hurt to have some backup?" There's some humour in there, but also a somewhat hopeful undertone to the question? "Besides, if you all didn't have me to lighten the mood every now and then, I dread to think of what would happen. I can't have you shouldering that burden alone."
"To say nothing of having to leave the city to look for my parents, if we don't find them in the next few days."
"Only..." He takes another drink offered to him in passing and he grows more solemn. "I am worried that I won't be able to live up to the expectations of the people here. I've never had any sort of formal martial training, for one. I'd probably have to change that, but I'm not sure who I could or should train with. Or, for that matter, if there will even be time for such. The prospect of being relegated to winging it all, forced to rely on the memories of Aisha alone is rather daunting. That's the former wielder of Eclipse, I just learned."