Protectors of Golarion (Wrath of the Righteous AP)

Game Master Sensen

Thesius finds himself with little to add to the conversation as his companions handle any thoughts coming to his mind so he chooses to keep a eye on their surroundings while they wrap up the conversation.

Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (10) + 17 = 27

Kadin nods briefly at Merixia. "Nonetheless. Your consideration is appreciated." They consider for a moment. "As I said, I saw the others a few blocks to the west. I'm not sure exactly where they were staying, but I imagine that if you look over there, it should be fairly easy to find them."

They look to Verene. "I will consider it, I suppose." They allow, before shrugging. "I'll consult with my wards and see whether they are willing to join with you all."

"We've been here since Armasse, more or less." The Garundi replies to Azira, dark eyes flicking to her.

"All right. Safe travels to you and your wards, Kadin." Verene prepares to leave for a few blocks over with the others.

Sorry for brief post, just doesn't seem to be much to add here. Unless Azira has further questions? I really don't think these are supposed to be the people we heard about, though.

Merixia nods to the mysterious Garundi. "May Ragathiel's eyes fall upon you and his wings shield you." The first rule of helping people is that they have to want help. Hopefully Kadin and his group will make it to Defender's Heart safely.

"Travel well and be safe," Thesius says with a nod to Kadin.

"Sounds like he or she has it well in hand," Elliot comments as the gunslinger leaves. He hesitates momentarily, then glances to the southeast. "Say, everyone, I think we're fairly close to where my house used to be... mind if we stop by there after we check that sighting of survivors six or seven blocks west? It's probably a detour to go west first, but I know the site was destroyed and I'd rather not risk delaying going for the survivors with the cultists still being about. As much as I'd like to see if any clues to my family or missing memories might remain there."

"Of course, Elliot. We are in the area, after all." A bit confused about whether this will happen before we look for more survivors, as Worldwound GM implied, or after that, which is what you seemed to say here. Verene's good with it either way.

"What Verene said. All you have to do is say the word, Elliot. I'll be right behind you." Merixia smiles warmly at him, blissfully unaware that she said 'I' when she originally meant to say 'we'.

Azira reaches over and gives Elliot's upper arm a light, reassuring rub, as she suggests, "Why don't we stop on the way. You deserve some answers, and if they've been safe here all these last few days there's little chance an extra couple minutes now will endanger them."

I misread Elliot's post. xD I thought he said before rather than after. My mistake.

The heroes move through the ruined streets of Kenabres, which are significantly less threatening than they once were. With the Garundi's advice, it takes them only about an hour to find the survivors - mostly humans, but a few halflings and one grey-skinned gnome. They had been scattered in a tiny community throughout a few streets, and most are happy to go to the Defender's Heart with the heroes. Unfortunately, none of them know of Elliot's family.

Before they go, however, the party takes a quick detour to Elliot's old neighborhood, on the edge of the scarred earth.

Eventually, they arrive at the edge of the scar - and Elliot sees one wall that looks familiar. The home of his childhood is broken, ruined. Now all that is left is a few pieces of one wall and its foundations.

"What Verene said. All you have to do is say the word, Elliot. I'll be right behind you." Merixia smiles warmly at him, blissfully unaware that she said 'I' when she originally meant to say 'we'.

He pulls his gaze from the surrounding wreckage and returns the smile fondly, already feeling his doubt giving way to fresh resolve."Thanks, Meri. I... that means a lot to me. Your support, I mean." In that moment, it seemed like a stray ray of sunlight illuminated her features brilliantly, and all he could do was stare, breath caught and wishing Sarenrae would let his faulty memory preserve the image forever.

"Of course, Elliot. We are in the area, after all."

"Y-yours as well of course, sis." He quickly follows and grins, tearing his gaze away to Verene.

""Why don't we stop on the way. You deserve some answers, and if they've been safe here all these last few days there's little chance an extra couple minutes now will endanger them."

He slowly nods to Iomedae's chosen."I wish I could be sure. If we had arrived just slightly later at the hellknights, wouldn't they be dead as well? But... surely we can afford that delay, against a scale of an entire week? Surely that incident was a fluke." "Okay... then, let's go. Maybe..." He swallows his doubts and trepiditions. "Maybe there is something left that could help us."

On the way, his pace slows and he looks around the destruction with rapt attention. "I... remember. How when I was very young, before the fire manifested, we would play hide and seek here. We would try to hide at the bakery, for the old lady there often gave us leftovers of the day. And then I would go back to father's shop and listen to him tell his stories of his mercenary days, before his knee went bad in the last crusade," The corners of his lips curls upward. "Mother would tease him to stop filling our young minds with stories of the Ulfen of legends, especially the Reds, as the work of a blacksmith was never done. And sis would never stop bugging him to change the family name back from Worthane to Warthane, as it was a much 'cooler' name, but his handwriting was so horrible when he enlisted that they mistook it. Then he would look up at her and smile, only to say 'that the work of a blacksmith was never done...'"

Suddenly, he halts to a dead stop in front of a building that was almost completely destroyed, and what little was there of a good mood dies with it. "...Those days will never come again, will they?"

"It's all right... I knew what I would find. I saw it yesterday," He sends back to Righteous eclipse. "Everyone... If you would help me search?" He quietly asks, as he gently reaches to touch the one wall section still there. "There is probably nothing here. I know that. But..."

Perception, and detect magic if no one else prepared it today: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Azira moves with Elliot, more for emotional support than to really help (since she’d learned she was terrible at searching). “I don’t know…” she encourages, “the structures where those memories happened may be gone, but you’re not… and one day, if you want, you could set your own children on your knee and tell them stories about your time in the crusade, and about how your name should have been War-thane if not for a clerical error… those days are still ahead.”

Merixia hesitates for a moment, then pulls Elliot into a strong but gentle hug, mindful of her armor. "I'm so sorry, Elliot. If you want to talk about your family later on, I would love to hear your stories of them." She releases him (hoping she did the right thing and he won't mind being hugged in public) and joins the search through the rubble.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

On the way, his pace slows and he looks around the destruction with rapt attention. "I... remember. How when I was very young, before the fire manifested, we would play hide and seek here. We would try to hide at the bakery, for the old lady there often gave us leftovers of the day. And then I would go back to father's shop and listen to him tell his stories of his mercenary days, before his knee went bad in the last crusade," The corners of his lips curls upward. "Mother would tease him to stop filling our young minds with stories of the Ulfen of legends, especially the Reds, as the work of a blacksmith was never done. And sis would never stop bugging him to change the family name back from Worthane to Warthane, as it was a much 'cooler' name, but his handwriting was so horrible when he enlisted that they mistook it. Then he would look up at her and smile, only to say 'that the work of a blacksmith was never done...'"

Suddenly, he halts to a dead stop in front of a building that was almost completely destroyed, and what little was there of a good mood dies with it. "...Those days will never come again, will they?"

"It's all right... I knew what I would find. I saw it yesterday,"[/b] He sends back to Righteous eclipse. "Everyone... If you would help me search?" He quietly asks, as he gently reaches to touch the one wall section still there. "There is probably nothing here. I know that. But..."

Verene halts with Elliot, her own chest tight at his evident distress. "Of course we will," she says, quiet and steady. "You don't have to ask. Things will not be the same again, but you are not alone. They say a man is not dead while his name is still spoken. One day these memories will be happy instead of painful."

She wraps one arm around his shoulders in a sisterly hug, and stays there until Elliot moves away to begin the search. Thamyris lands on his shoulder and gently preens a lock of the heatless fire of his hair, a thing the little bird has never done before.

Perception, Verene: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
Perception, Thamyris: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26

Hugged and comforted by his allies, the magus does seem to calm slightly. He absently places his hand free hand over Merixia's during her rear hug as he takes in everyone's words of support, gaze still fixed on the ruin. "...You're right. I'm not alone, what was destroyed can be rebuilt, and they're alive until I see the bodies. They have to be." He says as if to convince himself of that first and foremost, then joins the search of his former homes' remains.

"Indeed, it's too early to give up hope. I will do my best to assist in finding them," Thesius says after listening to his companion's words.

Thesius would take the time to invoke heroism, heightened awareness, and then follow suit in activating his detect magic cantrip.

Taking a moment for a quick initial search to get ideas of where to start, he would then go into a more thorough search of the area.

Initial Perception Check: 1d20 + 17 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 17 + 2 + 2 = 35

Take 20 after will give a 41. Thesius spells will last for 50 minutes and he can refresh them all twice more for a total of 2 and a half hours.

Elliot detects no magic present in the area (other than the items he and his fellows carry) - not a surprise, given that this has been abandoned for a week.

The search proceeds quickly, and even the civilians help out - save for the youngest, who are kept well away from potentially unstable structures. Though it takes them some time, they do find a severed and bloodstained hand, preserved by the cold, lying in the rubble of the house's remnants.

There are a handful of bloodstains on the floor of the house, but no other signs of its former inhabitants.

When the group finds the morbid discory, Elliot slowly kneels near the hand and gingerly takes hold of it. "Mother..."

He looks away, closing his eyes and hiding them behind his hand. "They... there was a fight here... were they captured?" "Tortured? Sacrificed?"

The corresponding thoughts and images were too horrible to describe, and while his voice sounded somewhat calm and logical, it was clear he was anything but.

When Elliot mutters the identity of the hand’s owner, something in Azira breaks loose. Tears pour down her cheeks as she struggles to offer, “I’m so sorry, Elliot.”

Verene takes a shuddering breath at the discovery of the severed hand and Elliot and Azira's reactions. Somehow this and the presence of bloodstains but no bodies is worse than simply finding them dead. There must be something she can do to resolve this uncertainty. She puts a hand on Azira's shoulder and gives it a gentle squeeze, then goes to Elliot where he kneels.

She breathes out and falls into the calm, silent well of magical awareness that she already is beginning to think of as a deeper version of the cold, foresight-touched battle clarity that has come over her with astonishing frequency recently. Between one blink and the next Verene's eyes begin to glow solid white as she examines and discards connections, considering how she might tug on the threads of reality. She bends down and picks up a small piece of shattered brick from Elliot's childhood home, turning it over in her hands.

"If you want to know more about what happened," her voice says distantly, "I can cast a spell to let someone see the past. I would suggest Thesius, since he is the most observant of us. The visions will be flashes and snippets of voices only, and they are likely to be distressing. But you might be able to piece together the narrative of what took place here."

If Elliot and Thesius agree, Verene will burn a use of mythic power to cast ears of the city on Thesius with Wild Arcana. I would suggest Elliot, but the amount and quality of the information you get depends on your Perception or Diplomacy rolls, and Thesius's Perception modifier is sky-high, especially right now. Also, it might actually be worse for Elliot to witness whatever the target of the spell witnesses, since this is his family, after all. After Thesius, the next highest applicable modifier is actually Azira's Diplomacy at +19, then Verene's Gather Info Diplomacy at +17.

"Oh, gods..." Merixia puts a gauntleted hand over her mouth at the grisly discovery. Think positive. It's completely possible for a human to survive without a hand, provided they have a way to cauterize the wound. And it doesn't get infected. But even if that's the case, where is Elliot's mother now? Where is his father? Her traitorous mind conjures up all manner of things that demons or demon cultists might do with helpless human captives.

Thank Ragathiel for Verene. The wizard, as usual, somehow manages to keep her head when everyone else is losing theirs. "That sounds like a good idea, Verene." Merixia mostly manages to keep her voice steady. Mostly.

Thesius initially keeps quiet, trying to find further hints of blood in hope of finding a path.

Upon hearing Verene's suggestion, he nods his head. "I would be happy to lend assistance. If we choose to go this route, I would suggest giving me a moment to prepare as I can further my abilities."

Heroism gives a +2 Morale bonus, Heightened Awareness gives a +2 Competence bonus, with 2 rounds of Archaelogist's Luck he can provide himself with +3 Luck bonus for the 8 rounds of the spell, and finally he does have Mythic Power he can spend as well. So that will give him a +24 perception check with some caveats on when he can use the surge.

"I... okay. If- if you could, Thesius? I'm not exactly in the best state of mind right now." He makes an attempt at a humorless chuckle, though it sounds more like a sob.

"Maybe sis wasn't here... but what does it mean? Attacked before house was destroyed? So... coordinated? Did they want to capture a blacksmith and then held mother as hostage?"

Perhaps he was simply in denial, perhaps the talking kept him from breaking down further as Thesius went into Verene's spell to hopefully know for sure...

Apologies for the perhaps slightly repetative nature of Elliot's posts and emotional state here but I can only really picture him being devastated by these findings.

Huh, I didn't realize that ears of the city worked on the past. Interesting. Well, no worries!

Thesius lays his hand on Elliot's shoulder before they proceed to offer him support. "Of course. I'm here to help and I'll do my best to glean what I can."

Unfamiliar with the spell, he takes a moment to find a place to settle in. He chooses do so next to one of the still standing walls in hopes of some shelter from the environment. After taking a cross legged seated position, he confirms his spells are still active before giving a nod to Verene to continue.

As the spell takes hold, he whispers to Desna in hope of guidance in his pursuit.

A mix of emotions make their way across Thesius' face as he relives moments in the recent past through the lives of others, some shared giving him new perspective on their own recent past.

As the spell comes to an end, Thesius takes a deep breath to calm the emotions. A mix of his own and those he lived alongside in those brief moments.

He fights to commit what he can to memory as she sorts through the images, sounds, and emotions once more. Looking for how to best relay them to his companions.

His voice breaks for a moment as he starts to speak. "I don..."
After taking a moment to clear his throat, he continues. "I don't think all is lost. While I saw life perish before my eyes, I believe at least one of your family members yet survive." He takes a moment, considering whether he should extrapolate on who he believes it to be. Finally he chooses to do so, "Your sister I believe found safe haven with the Kellids in Truestone Park."

Azira turns to Verene and Thesius and, with uncharacteristic timidity, pleads, “Could you, please… can you please tell me what happened to my mom too?”

I’m not sure if there’s still time left on the first casting or not but Azira is desperate to know, now that she’s aware it’s a possibility.

The once arcanist had his gaze locked on Thesius during the meditation. The minute felt like an eternity - the most agonizing wait he'd ever endured since the trial in his youth.

"While I saw life perish before my eyes, I believe at least one of your family members yet survive. Your sister I believe found safe haven with the Kellids in Truestone Park."

He looks up sharply, smart enough to realize that there was probably a lot unsaid in those words.

"So Lyra is probably safe while at least one of our parents is dead," he states, rather neutrally, which was an improvement over a minute ago. "I..." He swallows and nods. "Thank you. That... makes me feel a bit better," He says, and seems to mean it despite his sorrowful state. "That leaves only one of them to be a prisoner, and... 'evidence' suggests it's not mother. Father... would have a better chance of making that. He wouldn't be kept around just for pleasure and maybe they figured him useful..."

Not knowing what else to do or say, or even how to feel, he moves to the side of the building, leaning against a wall fragment in an attempt to calm his mind. He knew he couldn't be of help to Verene and Thesius in helping Azira in similar fasion - except to get out of their way.

Gods. At least Elliot's sister is probably safe, but his poor mother. Merixia follows him around the side of the building and leans against the wall next to him, taking his hand in hers.

"I can't imagine how you feel right now, Elliot. But I'm here for you." She pauses. "Although if you want to be alone, that's perfectly natural. Just say the word."

"I can't imagine how you feel right now, Elliot. But I'm here for you." She pauses. "Although if you want to be alone, that's perfectly natural. Just say the word."

"No, I... would prefer if you stayed. Thank you." He returns the physical gesture and manages a fleeting weak smile. "It... was always on the back of my mind. Not everyone could be as lucky as us. Most probably weren't. And now it's been... what, two whole weeks since Armasse? Chances weren't good. I know that. But... I'd hoped that with all the crazy things we were able to do in between, that just maybe they'd all made it too."

He takes a deep breath and sets himself to sit a little straighter. "I won't lie, I feel like a mess. Mostly grief and anger; at the cultists, but at myself too for not being here. Yet... I know I have to move soon, and that I have to put it aside for now. Until I can bury her. I'm not the only one who lost their family. We could still make a difference to some people today. So I should put it aside and not let it get to me."

The grip on her hand tightens - his hand was shaking. "But it's difficult."

"...Could you... talk to me about something? Anything. Just to keep my mind off of things?" He quietly asks when it passes.

After Thesius assents to the spell and makes his preparations, Verene chants a few words while making a gathering motion with the small piece of broken brick, and then places it in his hand. The blazing white light vanishes from her eyes and she watches anxiously for almost a full minute as brief flickers of pain and fear pass over his face.

His voice breaks for a moment as he starts to speak. "I don..."

After taking a moment to clear his throat, he continues. "I don't think all is lost. While I saw life perish before my eyes, I believe at least one of your family members yet survive." He takes a moment, considering whether he should extrapolate on who he believes it to be. Finally he chooses to do so, "Your sister I believe found safe haven with the Kellids in Truestone Park."

"That is a better result than I hoped. Thank you, my friend. You always were better than I with fragmentary texts. I suspected you would be the best of us at piecing together small bits of information into a coherent whole. But I know it cannot have been easy." Verene's face holds gratitude and concern as she offers him a hand to get to his feet.

Azira turns to Verene and Thesius and, with uncharacteristic timidity, pleads, “Could you, please… can you please tell me what happened to my mom too?”

"We can try. It might help in getting a coherent answer, to be physically in the general area where you think she was on Armasse — so, Clydwell Plaza — and to use a bit of brick or stone from the square as the focus," Verene says slowly. She looks to Thesius, mostly reluctant to volunteer him to experience the disorienting flood of past images, sounds and emotions again so soon. It also occurs to her that Merixia, with her similar ability to call on Ragathiel's power directly for unanticipated needs, as she did to mend the antique crusader helms, should be able to cast this spell too. But she glances over to where Merixia and Elliot have withdrawn slightly from the rest, and decides not to interrupt their conversation. "But technically any brick in any part of the city is all that is required for the spell. I am willing to cast it again now, if Thesius — or you, Azira — would be willing to endure the deluge of images and voices."

The spell would have ended after 8 rounds (caster level + 2 for Wild Arcana), and Thesius couldn't have heard or seen anything from his companions while it was in progress, including a request to focus on other topics. So, Verene is willing to try just casting it again, with the above caveats. I bring up the possibility of Azira being the target because she would also be good at it with her Diplomacy, and can use Mythic Surge as well to improve the result(s) of her choice. I'm not sure how Azira feels in character though — she might want to see as much information as possible as directly as possible, since she obviously knows her mother well and would possibly get something from context that Thesius might miss; but, as with Elliot, the possibility of directly seeing something terrible happen to her mother might be too distressing.

"...Could you... talk to me about something? Anything. Just to keep my mind off of things?" He quietly asks when it passes.

Merixia squeezes his hand back, gently. I really should have taken my gauntlet off for this. "Of course. Let me think for a moment." Stories that involve her family are out, that's going to be a sore topic for a while. But given that Merixia lived with her parents up until she left on crusade, that's most of her stories. Well, the journey to Mendev was a long one. I can tell him about that. And if he's lived all his life in and around Kenabres, tales of the sea will be something novel for him.

"I traveled a long, long way to get here from my home in Andoran. The first step of my journey was on a ship that sailed the Inner Sea, from Almas to the city of Cassomir in Taldor. I had been on a ship before, but this was my first time as an adult and a free woman, and the ocean stretching out around me in all directions was an awe-inspiring sight..." Merixia was never trained in the art of storytelling, but she does her best to describe the endless expanse of the Inner Sea to someone who has never seen an ocean. The salt tang of the shore, and the clean, crisp scent of the deep sea far from land. The creak of the rigging and the shouts of the sailors as they labored at mysterious tasks involving a great deal of rope. The cries of the seabirds beloved of Ylimancha Harborwing as they wheeled overhead, hoping for food scraps. The taste of real fish stew in Almas and Cassomir, none of this freshwater trout and bass nonsense. (Merixia is still of the opinion that the only proper fish comes from the ocean.) It was an exciting time in her life, and she does her best to describe it in enough detail to distract Elliot from his grief, at least a little.

Merixia was never trained in the art of storytelling, but she does her best to describe the endless expanse of the Inner Sea to someone who has never seen an ocean. The salt tang of the shore, and the clean, crisp scent of the deep sea far from land. The creak of the rigging and the shouts of the sailors as they labored at mysterious tasks involving a great deal of rope. The cries of the seabirds beloved of Ylimancha Harborwing as they wheeled overhead, hoping for food scraps. The taste of real fish stew in Almas and Cassomir, none of this freshwater trout and bass nonsense. (Merixia is still of the opinion that the only proper fish comes from the ocean.) It was an exciting time in her life, and she does her best to describe it in enough detail to distract Elliot from his grief, at least a little.

Elliot listens throughout it all, slowly turning more towards her instead of the ruined city. The haze of emotions gradually gives way to some clarity and calm. "That... sounds like an amazing adventure," He replies with a hint of a smile. "I'd very much like to try that once, this fresh ocean fish. Most of what we have here comes from the Lake of Mists and Veils but by the time it gets all the way through the country to Kenabres, it's only edible due to all the salting. And the magically preserved ones were so expensive that they were obviously never meant for mere mortal mouths."

He looks upwards towards the sky. "To travel and see more of the world... it's something I'd very much like to do, I think, if we ever actually won. It'd be hard to blame anyone for not wanting to stay, given what we've been through. But even past that, in the end... aren't we all here just to fight the good fight? If that fight ends, what would we have left? Everything about life here is ultimately based around that enemy and having to fight him. All the support of foreign nations would fall away, and the wasteland wouldn't magically change back into Sarkoris..."

"...But please pay that no mind. I'm sure some would take it as heresy and that I somehow wasn't commited to winning," He grins slightly and starts to rise. "I do feel better - thanks. We... should probably get back to the others, right?"

As Verene has said the spell would have run its course before Azira could ask the question, though a recast is, of course, possible. If you want to do so, let me know. I'll try to get back to this later, but if not (and I don't get a yes/no), we'll move on in my next post.

Thesius nods to Elliot. "Of course my friend. Unfortunately conclusive proof of their...loss was hard to find, but I will say that I felt as if their were two losses over the course of what I glimpsed," he clarifies wanting to help prepare Elliot and not give false hope.

He turns his head to Azira as she addresses them and turns his gaze to Verene after. "My services will always be available to you all, no thank you is necessary. I know the pain of loss and would help prevent it where I can. If you are up for casting the spell once more, I can do so unless," he turns his gaze back to Azira as he speaks, "you would prefer to be the subject of the spell this time."

Alright, moving us on.

With their new refugees in tow, the party wends their way back through the ruined streets of Kenabres. As they go, a few of the civilians grow increasingly pale - they're getting colder. However, the group manages to make it to the Defender's Heart before anyone gets frostbitten.

Upon their return, the refugees are swiftly ushered away to braziers and fires, and this leaves the party at loose ends for a time. They do see Kadin, though the gunslinger seems to be alone at the moment, watching the crowds as they slowly sip something steaming.

Nevertheless, they have other refugees to rescue, and thus they head back out into the frigid air.

Where do you want to head next? If you have any business at the Defender's Heart, you may put them in spoilers or just let me know OOC.

Elliot listens throughout it all, slowly turning more towards her instead of the ruined city. The haze of emotions gradually gives way to some clarity and calm. "That... sounds like an amazing adventure," He replies with a hint of a smile. "I'd very much like to try that once, this fresh ocean fish. Most of what we have here comes from the Lake of Mists and Veils but by the time it gets all the way through the country to Kenabres, it's only edible due to all the salting. And the magically preserved ones were so expensive that they were obviously never meant for mere mortal mouths."

He looks upwards towards the sky. "To travel and see more of the world... it's something I'd very much like to do, I think, if we ever actually won. It'd be hard to blame anyone for not wanting to stay, given what we've been through. But even past that, in the end... aren't we all here just to fight the good fight? If that fight ends, what would we have left? Everything about life here is ultimately based around that enemy and having to fight him. All the support of foreign nations would fall away, and the wasteland wouldn't magically change back into Sarkoris..."

"...But please pay that no mind. I'm sure some would take it as heresy and that I somehow wasn't commited to winning," He grins slightly and starts to rise. "I do feel better - thanks. We... should probably get back to the others, right?"

Merixia smiles, happy to see that Elliot seems to be feeling a bit better. The pain will always be there, but at least she managed to distract him for now. "Well, if we win or we get too old to fight, I would be glad to show you around Almas."

She joins him in looking up at the dull gray sky, covered with clouds that promise snow later on. "I hope the Queen has some sort of plan in place for when the war ends. You're right, though, Mendev will have to reinvent itself once again. Gods willing, there are still some druids of the Sarkorian tradition who can and will help heal the land when the demons are gone. I'm pretty sure I heard about a large druid community in the River Kingdoms when I traveled up the Sellen, maybe some of them would help." After all, isn't that what druids are supposed to be all about? Being stewards of the land and healing the damage done by unnatural causes? Merixia has never actually met a druid, so she can't say for sure.

Turning back to her companion, the cleric shakes her head. "I don't think this is heresy. It's simply planning ahead. After all, if you didn't think we could win, you wouldn't be worried about what happens afterwards. But I can see how some of the more zealous types might take it that way." She smiles and pushes off the wall, stretching a bit. "I'm glad I could help. Let's see what everyone else is up to."

At Defender's Heart

Even Merixia with her infernal blood has been feeling the cold, although she doesn't have any symptoms of frostbite or dangerous chill. She's worried about Verene and Thesius, though. And do aasimars have any resistance to cold? She can't remember. "How are you all feeling? Any numbness or tingling in your fingers, toes, ears? We can spend a few minutes warming up if necessary."

On the way back to Defender's Heart:
Verene tries to look out for signs of the cold starting to harm any of their rescued civilians, and would offer the blackfire clay to anyone who seems like they might succumb to exposure. She gently encourages everyone to hurry along the way, supports any who seem to need it the way she did with Aravashnial at one point in the caverns, and tries to keep spirits high. About how many people were in the group of humans and halflings (plus one gnome)?

At Defender's Heart:
She waves cheerfully to Kadin, relieved that the strange Garundi made it here safely with only verbal directions. Verene also looks around to see if she can spot any of the three armigers and three civilians that they saw off with a squad of soldiers earlier in the morning.

"How are you all feeling? Any numbness or tingling in your fingers, toes, ears? We can spend a few minutes warming up if necessary."

"I am well. After the survivors are settled and we have stood by the fire for a moment, shall we check in with Lady Irabeth and head out again to Old Kenabres, then?" she asks the group at large.

"Well, if we win or get too old to fight, I would be glad to show you around Almas."

This sentiment draws a chuckle from him. "'too old to fight?' Meri, we're both in our twenties, aren't we? Isn't it a bit early to plan our retirements together?" The hint of a tease fades."Still, it's a nice sentiment - thanks. If we do get to that point, and we still age like normal people after the wardstone thing, I'd be happy to come, I think."

"I am well. After the survivors are settled and we have stood by the fire for a moment, shall we check in with Lady Irabeth and head out again to Old Kenabres, then?" she asks the group at large.

Verene would vote for going to Truestone Park/Old Kenabres next, unless Irabeth has something urgent for us.

"That is where my sister supposedly is... so yes, I'd rather get there as soon as possible," The magus assents. "Just let me find a priest of Pharasma, or whomever else is willing to cast Gentle Repose to preserve mother's hand until it can be buried. After that I'll be ready to go."

Elliot would pay 60 g for a casting of it if none of the priests/clerics are willing to do that for free. Probably less of a loss than having the party members use mythic power?

I can make rolls should Azira wish for him to go through with the spell once more. I just need to know.

Thesius talks to the survivors on their way back, trying to get a better understanding of what they have been through and trying to assure them that things would be okay.

Upon arriving back at the Defender's Heart, he is happy to see that Kadin has made it back. He takes a moment to express that sentiment to the man and inquire into their return journey. "I am glad to see you made it back safely. How as the journey back?"

At Verene's suggestion, he nods his head. "That sounds like a good plan."

Verene: I'd say sixteen - mostly humans, a few halflings, and the one gnome.

Kadin nods briefly at Thesius. "Easier than I anticipated." They say, rubbing their chin. "But not too easy. These streets are worse than labyrinthine nowadays."

Elliot does find a priest of Sarenrae who is willing to cast the spell for a nominal fee, so you should take the 60 gp out. Others need the funds more than you, after all. With that, the heroes visit Irabeth.

The half-orc paladin is currently taking a meal with her wife and a few other crusaders, and they are deep in discussion. She looks up at the party as they arrive. "Good to see you all again. I gather you've found some more refugees - we don't have anything urgent yet, so if you have more in you, I'd request you head out to find more."

I'm still feeling a bit down, so I'll move us forwards next time. Kind of exhausting figuring things out with an illness hanging over, even if it's mostly gone.

*before Defender's Heart*
"If you think I'll learn more closer to the plaza, then I'll wait," Azira answers with a nod as she gathers herself. She wipes her face clean with her sleeve and, once everyone else is ready, she draws Radiance and resumes her position at the front of the group.

*in Defender's Heart*
When Verene asks about heading back out to Old Kenabres, Azira echoes Elliot's enthusiasm saying, "I'd like to get there as soon as possible too. I know that my mom is... almost certainly dead, but I'd still like to know what happened, and--Iomedae willing--to recover her remains so they can be properly laid to rest."

At their meeting with the Commander, she does her best to conduct herself with the quiet calm befitting a proper sword-knight, but she can't help but fidget impatiently throughout their report. When Irabeth bids them head out to look for more survivors she's quick to reply, "Yes, ma'am. I believe we're headed into the Old City next to see what we can find there."

I'll make the roll for eyes of the city (and burn a mythic point to surge it) once we get close to the plaza. Thanks!

Thanks GM! That's the biggest group of survivors we've found so far, outside of the Defender's Heart itself. Sorry about the lingering illness. Best wishes for a full recovery soon!

At Verene's suggestion, he nods his head. "That sounds like a good plan."

"I'd like to get there as soon as possible too. I know that my mom is... almost certainly dead, but I'd still like to know what happened, and--Iomedae willing--to recover her remains so they can be properly laid to rest."

"Just let me find a priest of Pharasma, or whomever else is willing to cast Gentle Repose to preserve mother's hand until it can be buried. After that I'll be ready to go."

Verene looks taken aback, for she had not even noticed Elliot wrapping the severed hand to take with them. But it makes sense. "Of...course. I don't suppose that is a favor Ragathiel would be willing to grant?" she asks Merixia. Then a thought occurs and her eyes go flat white for a moment before returning to normal. "...Hm. I could preserve her hand as well. But it would probably be wise to spread out our use of this new power if possible. I think I can do it thrice more today, but one of those is reserved to divine information for Azira."

At their meeting with the Commander, she does her best to conduct herself with the quiet calm befitting a proper sword-knight, but she can't help but fidget impatiently throughout their report. When Irabeth bids them head out to look for more survivors she's quick to reply, "Yes, ma'am. I believe we're headed into the Old City next to see what we can find there."

Verene adds, "Indeed. We have been given to understand that the druid Vorek and his husband, the god-caller Rashan, are the leaders of the group who have made their stand in Truestone Park. We believe Elliot's sister Lyra, and perhaps other civilians, may have sought refuge with them. So that is where we plan to look first — as well as making a search for Azira's mother. But it might be a difficult conversation. Vorek is of course a proponent of the old Sarkorian ways, and has more reason now than ever to distrust crusaders. Elyda said they did not allow her to enter their base of operations at all, and that of the two, Rashan was the friendlier. Do you know anything of Vorek or Rashan that could help us negotiate with them more effectively?" She addresses the question to the table at large, not just Irabeth and Anevia.

I'll make the roll for eyes of the city (and burn a mythic point to surge it) once we get close to the plaza. Thanks!

If Azira would like to be the target of the spell, you will actually get to roll Diplomacy as though to gather information eight times, once for each round it is active. That's why Thesius rolled eight Perception checks above. With the flavor of the spell as described, you aren't actually talking to anyone, so Diplomacy doesn't make quite as much sense to me as Perception checks to synthesize something useful from an enormous amount of fragmentary information. But I guess the idea is that you're piecing together what you 'overhear' from snippets of people's past conversations, and existing skill at gathering information means you know which people to focus on for eavesdropping — which conversations between which people are important, and which are not. Or else you're persuading the magic itself to show you relevant information.

Irabeth listens to both Azira and Verene, chewing thoughtfully. "Truestone Park is in the Ring District, so it shouldn't be as damaged as the area near Grey Garrison was." She says after swallowing. "I had heard of Vorek before Armasse. Some of the Eagle Watch were trying to keep an eye on them, in case of demonic corruption."

Anevia nods briefly. "I know one of the agents who was looking in on them, but I haven't seen her since the fall. From what I know, Vorek himself is bitter, but has his people's best interests at heart. What he sees as their best interests may not be what's best for the rest of us."

One of the other crusaders at the table, a Kellid woman with chunks missing from her nose and greying hair grunts. "My brother was planning on joining them before Armasse. I went with him to meet with Master Rashan. His god is impressive - it seemed angelic or at least celestial, so I don't think they're evil... but they won't welcome crusaders."

Irabeth listens to both Azira and Verene, chewing thoughtfully. "Truestone Park is in the Ring District, so it shouldn't be as damaged as the area near Grey Garrison was." She says after swallowing. "I had heard of Vorek before Armasse. Some of the Eagle Watch were trying to keep an eye on them, in case of demonic corruption."

Anevia nods briefly. "I know one of the agents who was looking in on them, but I haven't seen her since the fall. From what I know, Vorek himself is bitter, but has his people's best interests at heart. What he sees as their best interests may not be what's best for the rest of us."

One of the other crusaders at the table, a Kellid woman with chunks missing from her nose and greying hair grunts. "My brother was planning on joining them before Armasse. I went with him to meet with Master Rashan. His god is impressive - it seemed angelic or at least celestial, so I don't think they're evil... but they won't welcome crusaders."

"Thank you all for your advice. What was the name of the agent you knew, Anevia? Should we be looking for her as well?

"My housemate Old Arthek, who died in the attack, was being courted by some of his friends already in their organization to move there with them too, and take along his young granddaughter. He was a bit too practical for it in the end. What I know about them comes secondhand from him. It certainly seems this Vorek wants to gather those of Kellid heritage to himself," Verene says thoughtfully in response to the female Kellid veteran. "Well, we only have two crusaders, as compared to three temporarily affiliated civilians. Perhaps we should have Azira put away her holy symbol and Radiance while speaking to them, though, as those are most recognizable. Unfortunately I am neither Kellid nor a kind of mage they would trust, although as I don't openly wear a spellbook, I am not sure it will be obvious. But I think they might respond best to Thesius, actually. Desna was one of the few southern gods adopted and commonly venerated by the Sarkorians, so her symbol should not put their backs up, and we do not have to explain that your magic does not precisely come from her. And we do not have to rely so heavily on the names of Lady Irabeth and the Eagle Watch to reassure people that the place we are proposing they go is safe — although I am not sure what we could emphasize instead. The safety in such numbers and diversity of thought here, perhaps. Well, wish us luck, and we will wish it for your endeavors too."

Verene nods politely to the table and prepares to leave.

Ready to move on whenever others are.

Irabeth listens to both Azira and Verene, chewing thoughtfully. "Truestone Park is in the Ring District, so it shouldn't be as damaged as the area near Grey Garrison was." She says after swallowing. "I had heard of Vorek before Armasse. Some of the Eagle Watch were trying to keep an eye on them, in case of demonic corruption."

Anevia nods briefly. "I know one of the agents who was looking in on them, but I haven't seen her since the fall. From what I know, Vorek himself is bitter, but has his people's best interests at heart. What he sees as their best interests may not be what's best for the rest of us."

One of the other crusaders at the table, a Kellid woman with chunks missing from her nose and greying hair grunts. "My brother was planning on joining them before Armasse. I went with him to meet with Master Rashan. His god is impressive - it seemed angelic or at least celestial, so I don't think they're evil... but they won't welcome crusaders."

Merixia grimaces slightly at that bit of news. "Wonderful. I bet they don't like tieflings either." Not that she can blame them, given that it seems every other tiefling in the city is determined to prove all the stereotypes about evil, untrustworthy demon-spawn true. Idiots! Don't they see that they're only proving the haters right? I'd rather drink poison than admit that they were right about anything. "Well, I can button my coat up high to cover my holy symbol. If I keep my mouth shut, I can pretend to be a non-magical fighter. The banded mail should help with that." Most clerics never learn to wear heavy armor. Clerics of Ragathiel, however, are expected to fight on the front lines.

Azira frowns at Verene’s suggestion. After Merixia has said her piece, the paladin adds, “I can’t lie if they ask me about my allegiances, but I can pull my cloak closed and let Thesius do the talking.”

I’m ready as well

"What are we going to ask them, though? Except for handing my sister back to us?" Elliot wonders, pensive, when he rejoins the group after magically preserving and safely stashing his mother's hand.

"I mean, if they are holding out so well on their own, and might be difficult to convince, why not leave them to themselves for now? The major threat has passed. I'm all for fostering cooperation between different non-evil factions here but I also don't see the imminent need to force them to do something they don't like and damage relations in the long run. Whatever their personal beliefs might be, they seemingly saved a lot of people we couldn't. If we find that to be true, I would say we owe them that courtesy as a sign of respect."

"What are we going to ask them, though? Except for handing my sister back to us?" Elliot wonders, pensive, when he rejoins the group after magically preserving and safely stashing his mother's hand.

"I mean, if they are holding out so well on their own, and might be difficult to convince, why not leave them to themselves for now? The major threat has passed. I'm all for fostering cooperation between different non-evil factions here but I also don't see the imminent need to force them to do something they don't like and damage relations in the long run. Whatever their personal beliefs might be, they seemingly saved a lot of people we couldn't. If we find that to be true, I would say we owe them that courtesy as a sign of respect."

"Of course, we should not try to force them to do anything, even if we could. Vorek and Rashan and their followers may prefer to stay where they feel safest, like Lord Horgus in his secure room. Though I think we should at least make it known they would be welcome and safe here as well. But from what Elyda said, it sounds like they have some kind of barrier to keep people out, and perhaps guards. Given how they responded to her, if they think any of us are crusaders, they may not want to let us in at all to even speak to your sister, or to other unaffiliated survivors, to offer shelter here at Defender's Heart. I feel I must plan for that eventuality, even though in this case I would very much like to be wrong. We will see."

The Kellid woman chews her lower lip. "Not these days, no." She replies to Merixia. "Might be that they wouldn't mind Ragathiel, though. Iomedae's the foreign goddess to them." She shrugs helplessly. "My family and I had our issues with the sort of people who support him because of my choices." The woman taps the holy symbol on her neck.

"I'm not sure how 'well' they're doing." Anevia says. "From what Elyda has told me, they weren't exactly in the best shape when she visited before." The archer takes a bite of her food thoughtfully.

"Ideally, I want them as allies." Irabeth says. "Even if they don't come to us, I don't want them opposed to us. If we work together we'll be stronger."

"The question is," an older Shelynite priest says soberly, "whether the Queen's armies will honor any agreement we make with them. I am certain the queen wouldn't object to it, but as we all well know from our past, the queen's authority in such matters is limited."

The others nod grimly, likely recalling Hulrun's witch hunts.

"The question is," an older Shelynite priest says soberly, "whether the Queen's armies will honor any agreement we make with them. I am certain the queen wouldn't object to it, but as we all well know from our past, the queen's authority in such matters is limited."

The others nod grimly, likely recalling Hulrun's witch hunts.

"We should certainly avoid making them any promises we do not know we can keep." Verene agrees. "Although with Prelate Hulrun and most of his higher-ranking inquisitors killed by the demons, and many of the others apparently becoming mad and corrupt, it would seem an opportune time for the Queen to make a fresh start in Kenabres if she chose." For instance, by installing as its leader one of her Inquisition-curbing Order of Heralds, someone who is loyal to her personally. That is what I would do. She shrugs blandly. "But I am only a scholar, and do not know much of the politics."