Angahaar walks belongside Anastasia. Similar in height and build to the woman, he has stark-white hair and patches of silvery scales on his arms and neck. His eyes are a piercing, icy blue.
He shoots a quizzical look at his companion when she asks about heritage, "Heritage? Who gives a damn about heritage? Let us cut to the quick, demons and their foul cultists lurk in these caverns, and likely have attacked Kenabres. We must take the fight to them. If you two will help, that is all the better. If not, we will keep you safe as we seek passage to the surface."
She cast another glance to Othniel and Ayaal. "You both have rather distinct... heritage." she carefully began, "If you don't mind my asking, what gives you those distinct features?"
The woman behind the bird-mask smiles. ”The priests say that many generations back a Garuda entered my family tree. My siblings and I might offer that the priests are right… or perhaps one of our great-grandparents got drunk and f@<ked a horned owl.” She laughs, ”The truth may never be known.”
"If you two will help, that is all the better. If not, we will keep you safe as we seek passage to the surface."
Ayaal rises. While she isn’t nearly as tall as Anastasia or Angahaar, at a couple inches below 6’ she isn’t standing in their shadows either. She offers a polite head bob to the mongrel leader, ”Thank you for your hospitality, Chief.” Ayaal turns to the crusaders and wipes some rock dust from the neck of her bow, ”Shall we go? I prefer to see the open sky, whether Kenabres burns or not.”
Ana bristled at Angahaar's complaint but then purposely calmed. "Yes, because clearly such things have zero effect on one's performance." she sarcastically noted. She then reached over with a gloved hand to run her finger over one of his scaled arms. Then retracted it to look at her fingertip as if checking for dust.
She gave an amused huff of a laugh as Ayaal explained her heritage. "A Garuda I would wager." she replied, "Crossing owls with other animals has been notoriously less pleasant." As they all agree to head to the surface Ana nods and hefts her warhammer up onto a shoulder.
"If it burns I will do my best to throw the cultists on their own fire, and quench it with demon blood." she added. A harder edge to her tone at the promise.
Ayaal takes Ana at her word, seeming to have implicit faith that the hulking warrior can do exactly what she said. "That sounds like a good start."
Rather hesitantly, she adds, "Speaking of performance... would it be acceptable if I take a moment to offer a group prayer? I don't care who you worship and my prayer will be to all the Gods on our side of this fight."
Othniel shrugs at the talk f ancestry. "Well, my father was a half-elf, though my mother was human" he says, running a hand across one of his pointed ears. "But I know what you're really asking." he says, uncoiling his tail as he says so. "My parents were both wizards, and, my great uncle tells me, were part of a group of wizards who sought ways to close the Worldwound, which sometimes involved forays into that benighted area. It is possible that some in utero exposure to energies, whether arcane or extraplanar, caused my...mutations. Or at least, that what Uncle Aravashnial always told me. My parents disappeared on a mission when I was an infant, you see. My great uncle raised me."
Chief Sull is interested in the route to the surface, but not near as much as Horgus. As soon as it is mentioned, he demands to be taken to the surface. "Well, come on then. You have a fortune of a reward awaiting if you can take me to the surface safely. Get a move on!"
Anevia laughs bitterly at hearing this, and Aravashnial is also obviously excited at the prospect of escape but still not as insistent as Horgus.
"I would like to visit the surface again. I have business at the Blackwing Library, if it survived."
...but not near as much as Horgus. As soon as it is mentioned, he demands to be taken to the surface. "Well, come on then. You have a fortune of a reward awaiting if you can take me to the surface safely. Get a move on!"
Ayaal's green eyes regard Horgus briefly... then she turns to look at Anastasia, her eyes querying: Who is this... windbag cockroach person?
Ana dips her chin, a solemn expression on her face as Ayaal suggests a small ceremony. "I'll not turn down such a blessing." she agrees.
She grows thoughtful at Othniel's explanation of his heritage. But despite her obvious consideration there is a downturn of her lips. "In utero mutation..." she considers, "You're very lucky. Most alchemists have abandoned such mutations for how hazardous they can prove to the mother and child. I am sorry to hear of your parents. Family is... well, that's not my place to comment."
Overall the conversation seemed sobering, but when it was over she pulled out her notes and started to add to them. Seemingly finding something worth jotting down from the brief conversation.
Looking at their civilian cargo Ana gives an annoyed sniff. "The first thing we need to do once on the surface is find safety for you three." she reminds them, "Just because it's above ground doesn't mean we can expect all the demons to be vanquished and ran out of the city walls." She casts a sidelong look to Ayaal.
"Introductions are likely in order." she explains, "But I would not speak for my betters. My lord, would you be so kind as to introduce yourself?" She favored Horgus with a fake smile, clearly intending to trouble him with more introductions or subject Ayaal to it. Maybe both.
Ayaal takes Ana's acquiescence and runs with it. She shoulders her bow, bows her bird-helmed head, and speaks without affectation, ”To those Gods known and forgotten, named and unnamed, who look upon the abomination of the Worldwound and would lend their efforts to close this fissure in our world as well as spitting the demonic forces back into the Abyss… We, poor travelers, ask for a small measure of your protection, guidance, and strength as we forge a path through a benighted land… May Kenabres still stand free at the end of our journey.”
Horgus blusters for a few long seconds before recapturing his cool.
"I am Lord Horgus Gwerm of the Gwerms of Egede in eastern Mendev, last of my line left in the Worldwound. I am an avid supporter of the crusade, and much of the equipment the defenders...or previous defenders I suppose, would not be here if not for my generosity."
"So I'd appreciate a bit of respect on my name, thank you very much."
Horgus is certainly covering something with his words here, but it doesn't seem to be anything malicious. More like a secret shame? Or other deep secret.
Aravashnial, upon hearing the voice of his grandnephew, moves slowly over to the group. Othniel sees that his eyes have been covered in bloody bandages, and it's pretty clear that he cannot see. His voice is much less demanding than it was when the party first found him in the cave, as if reconnecting with his family has helped his mood somewhat.
"Othniel? Is that you? How did you manage to get down here?"
"I am Lord Horgus Gwerm of the Gwerms of Egede in eastern Mendev, last of my line left in the Worldwound. I am an avid supporter of the crusade, and much of the equipment the defenders...or previous defenders I suppose, would not be here if not for my generosity."
Ayaal does her best to sound positive. "Oh! Thank you for supporting the war efforts, Master Gwerm. We do appreciate it."
Vastly more interesting than Gwerm was whatever he was leaving unstated. Ayaal filed the information away in her head for later consideration.
Othniel reaches out a hand to take Aravashnial by the arm. "Yes uncle, it's me. As for how I got here, well, it's hard to say exactly. i was in the plaza for Armasse, then, well, you know as much as I, probably. The chaos of the attack, the collapse, and I found myself down here. I was lucky enough to link up with Ayaal, here" He says, beginning to point her out then dropping his hand and feeling foolish. "And we made our way to here, where we encountered Chief Sull and his people." after a slight pause, he asks "I can see you're a bit worse for wear. Are...are you going to be able to manage, until we can find a cleric who can fix that?"
Angahaar studies Horgus Gwerm for a moment, "Hmm, I've always wondered what the H.G. on the inside of my breastplate meant. Your generosity is appreciated. This breastplate's saved my life a few times."
Aravashnial takes the offered hand and embraces Othniel, holding on a bit more tightly than even you’d expect from him.
”Yes, I’ve managed so far. The Storm King himself took my eyes with his hellish whip. It’s a miracle from above that I wasn’t torn in two on the spot. I’m not sure if there’ll be a cleric in this town left that can fix this, but I suppose all that’s left to do is look for one anyway. At the very least we have to get back to Blackwing Library.”
Horgus seems genuinely surprised at Angahaar’s kindness, taken aback for a few seconds before speaking again. When he does, his voice cracks for just a moment, but he hides it poorly behind a fake cough.
”Happy to help, friend.” he says simply, seeming as if he didn’t know what to say.
Anevia stares incredulously at Horgus, but shakes her head instead of commenting on what she just saw.
”Well we found a way up to the surface, no? What are we waiting on, do you need rest before we head out into the city at large?”
"Let's press on. Kenabres awaits, and all the justice and vengeance it will bring."
"Yes..." Ana slowly agrees after making note of Horgus' attitude.
She shares Angahaar's want for combat with the forces besieging the city, and she claps the man on the shoulder in solidarity. Again, her shield is brought up to shoulder height and her warhammer is hefted. "Let's clear a path for everyone else." she agrees.
Ayaal pulls her bow off her shoulder and knocks an arrow, loosely. "Right behind you."
As you emerge from the sewers, you step into a city vastly different from the one you left. During the time you've been underground, the tremors and demonic attacks have devastated the city, leaving it a smoking, apocalyptic ruin. Deep chasms riddle the city, while the paths of enormous demons have left ruinous trails of rubble extending out from the city’s heart. Above, the once-familiar skyline of Kenabres and forever changed—the tower of the Kite and the Cathedral of St. Clydwell having been completely destroyed, while elsewhere plumes of dark smoke still rise from the smoldering remains of burned-down buildings. Fat buzzards wheel above in skies scarred by red smoke and black clouds. The Worldwound has expanded its borders, and now the city of Kenabres is enveloped in it.
Before the fall, Kenabres had a population of thousands. Now, the bulk of those citizens have either fled the city, been taken by demons deep into the Worldwound, or have simply been killed. The place feels deserted, yet it’s never long before the scream of a fresh victim peals through the soot-encrusted streets,indicating that number of survivors has dropped again. Evidence of violence lie everywhere, whether burned buildings, splashes of blood, or dead bodies waiting to be claimed by vultures.
”The ruins below were bad. This is worse. I suggest we get moving – quietly.”
Bit of Luck (7):
Channel Energy (5):
Ki Pool (5):
Perfect Strike (3):
Deflection Aura (1):
See Invisibility (1):
Shield (1):
Spells
Barkskin (1):
Boneshaker (1):
Pro from Evil, Communal (1):
Bless (1):
Murderous Command (1):
Shadow Trap (1):
Shield (1):
Effects:
x = none
Othniel stays with Aravashnial all the way up, lending his own staff if Aravashnial doesn't already have one, or using rope (tied so as to be quickly released if necessary) to tie his left leg to Aravashnial's right for a sort of three-legged race system.
"A reasonable approach..." Ana reluctantly agrees. Bridling her desire to start cutting through demons and cultists by reminding herself they had civilians with them. "Angahaar and I aren't well suited for it with our armor though. We should likely take point." she admitted, "If something spots us they won't necessarily see our civilians."
With that said, Ana will place her shield onto her back and take up her warhammer in both hands. Keeping an eye out she took point. They had several objectives on their way, and she didn't like the idea of having to double back later.
Angahaar’s eyes widen at the brutal devastation that’s engulfed the city. He’d expected the demons to wreak havoc but this? This was as if the Abyss itself had come to Kenabres.
”Demons, bastard cultists, traitors in our midst. All of them will pay. We must move, and fast.”
Ayaal debates with herself. ”This may sound strange from a cleric and comrade you don’t know, but perhaps I should scout? I’m not the stealthiest but I don’t have armor to slow me down or give me away.”
Ana shrugged, her armor lifting on her frame as she did so. "I just figured we'd get found out either way." she admitted, "Better it be us two while the rest go unnoticed. I'm not going to try and give you orders though."
It seems as if, for the moment, the town has suffered so much trauma that you go unnoticed to begin with. The first few rubble-covered streets are mostly empty of living things, fortunately, but there is no shortage of bodies strewn across the ground. There are a few strange demons here and there, but the majority are sadly previous defenders of Kenabres.
Three streets deep into the city, however, that changes. You hear the sounds of something rummaging through what looks to be a shopfront. A slam every now and then sounds like one of whatever it is is occasionally trying to break a reinforced door down. As you turn the corner, you finally see what it is: a deformed, horned, hunchbacked humanoid has a forked, ratlike tail and two thumbs on each taloned hand. It is supremely ugly, and perks its head up as you come into view, focusing on you.
You catch it off guard, its two hands in the process of ripping apart a bejeweled fine purple dress.
Ayaal reacts before she thinks, sending two arrows down range at the nearer of the creatures. Only after her bowstring stops thrumming does she really evaluate the monsters. "What is that thing?"
Ayaal looses two shots and they look like solid hits, but the arrows deflect off the creatures scaly hide, only inflicting minor scratches.
Her knowledge of demons is enough to identify this as one, but she hasn’t ever seen or heard about one that looks like this.
Anastasia didn't reply to Ayaal's question. She wasn't versed in picking out what kind of demon this might be. Only in killing it. She clipped her warhammer's strap to her belt and drew out her sling. Setting a sling stone whirling before loosing it at the creature.
"Hold still uncle, there's a creature up ahead." Othniel says, before reaching down to pull the cord loose from his leg, relaying the creature's description to Aravashnial as he does so.
That done, Othniel steps in front of Aravashnial and casts a pair of quick spells.
Angahaar lets out a mighty roar and charges forwards, swinging his greatsword in a vicious strike in hopes of felling the demon, "Wretched thing, die, damn you!"
Ana's sling rock ricochets off a stall behind the demon, and it laughs cruelly as it watches it fly by.
Angahaar's strike hits true, but even his mighty hit is not enough to fully pierce the thing's hide. It does cry out in pain from the hit, however, taking a substantial amount of damage as a gash appears in its chest. The cold magic of his bloodline is dispersed in a harmless breath of air as well, the thing not seeming to be affected by it at all.
Aravashnial identifies the strange demon quite easily from the description as a abrikandilu, a demon formed from the souls of mortals who vandalized art or defaced objects of exquisiteness, particularly those whose acts of destruction were born from jealousy.
Ana clicks her tongue as her slingstone goes wide. They needed to kill this beast in a hurry. Now that she was closer she discarded the leather thong of her sling and took up her warhammer again in both hands. Clenching her jaw and clenching her fists needlessly hard into the wrapped handle of her hammer.
"I'll kill it!" she called out to Angahaar. She let her anger come to her like the worn edge of a hatchet. Tensing her body before charging forward at this... abrikandilu... thing. She brought her hammer in a downward strike with her full momentum.
As he sees Ana charge in, Angahaar shoots her a wide grin as he brings his sword to bear in an equally wide arc at the demon, ”Not if I kill it first!”
Seeing Angahaar in melee range, the thing lashes out with its entire arsenal of claws and sharp teeth.
Angahaar and Ana quickly finish it off after its rage of claws, and it falls to the ground, dead.
Shortly after the sounds of combat die down, two humans (a man and a woman) emerge from the closed door the demon was hammering with its claws.
”You saved us!” the man cries out, clearly in shock from the days’ events. ”We don’t have much to offer in terms of thanks, that thing left our shop in ruins…”
The woman is much more put together, and speaks clearly.
”Appreciate it. Do you know much about the situation inside the city and beyond? I’ve heard Lord Hulrun was killed in the opening moments of the attack, and the demons have his corpse on display somewhere, but not much beyond rumors.”
Ayaal regards the demon’s corpse with some interest before joining the warriors. She glances at Angahaar’s wounds and weaves a spell of healing to seal his injuries.
Arrows (40): xx
Blunts (40):
Slow Burn (1):
Tangleshot (2):
Grappling (1):
Bit of Luck (7):
Channel Energy (5):
Ki Pool (5):
Perfect Strike (3):
Deflection Aura (1):
See Invisibility (1):
Shield (1):
Spells
2nd
> Barkskin (1):
> Boneshaker (1):
> Pro from Evil, Communal (1):
1st
> Bless (1): x
> Murderous Command (1):
> Shadow Trap (1):
> Shield (1):
Effects:
x = none
Angahaar nods appreciatively to Ayaal for the healing before approaching the civilians, ”I cannot speak for my companions, but striking down those who would despoil our fair Kenabres and terrorize it’s people is reward enough. I cannot say we know much. We’ve been stuck in the tunnels beneath the city, only recently emerging.”
”Well I suppose you’re some of the luckiest people in Kenabres. So many have died today, and so many more await their fates. Just like we did, before you came along.”
She shakes her head before looking around the burning city. ”I think my husband and I are going to stay and try to protect what we still have, or failing that, grab what we can salvage and escape. Good luck out there.”
"Uncle, it seemed like that demon wasn't as harmed by blows as it should have been. Are some materials more effective against it? Do you think it could cast spells?"
When the team is ready to proceed, Ayaal presses on quietly.
"You should come with us." Ana reasons to the couple they met, "Every moment you linger here another demon could show up. We're picking our way to Defender's Hearth. I don't know much, but it should be safe there."
”This shop is all we’ve ever known in this town, we can’t just abandon what’s left of it without trying to save it. Once we get everything gathered and packed up, we’ll see if we can make our way to the inn. You be safe out there, and may whatever gods are left to us watch over you.” the woman says, and the two reenter their home.
Aravashnial answers the two questions easily.
”Most demon hides are resistant to physical damage, but cold iron weapons will pierce their hides. We need to find some, and soon. This particular demon species has two main spellcasting abilities, used to cause fear in its enemies or shatter the priceless art it hates so much.”
Pushing on forwards, the Blackwing Library is only a few more streets over. You encounter the occasional unfortunate corpse every now and then, and the ever present screams from across the city never stop.
Unfortunately, the Library has all but been destroyed. The only thing left standing appears to be the librarium’s facade and the fortified great hall at the center of the ruins. Strangely, it appears that the buildings surrounding the library are not as wholly destroyed, indicating this may have been a targeted attack on the library for some purpose.
”Well?” Aravashnial asks, unable to see how the library looks. ”Does it still stand unharmed?”
"Alas no, Uncle. It looks like it may have been specifically targeted, in fact; many of the surrounding buildings are not nearly as wrecked. The great hall seems to be intact yet, but almost nothing else remains. I'm sorry." Othniel says, only just managing to hold back tears himself. He had spent many hours at the library growing up in his uncle's care, but knew the time he spent there paled in comparison to what his uncle had.
Ayaal listens to the curious exchange. "We can't leave you here, Aravashnial, if that was your hope. Is there something we can get for you here, to take with you when we leave?"
The blind elf cries out in anguish upon hearing Othniel's description of the building, falling to his knees in despair.
"So many of my friends were there..." he says, a sob escaping his lips as he seems to finally crack under the pressure of the past day. "We..we have to go inside and see if anyone is left. Please, we have to get inside now."
He takes a second to calm himself down before speaking again, taking the time to stand up.
"If not to see my friends safe, then to collect the numerous treasures and libraries inside."
The bird-helmed woman nods, understanding the impetus. She stalks forward quietly, scouting for threats.
"Of course, uncle." Othniel says, again offering a hand to help Aravashnial to his feet before they move forward.
The door actually hangs ajar as you approach, and when you get within a few feet you hear a harsh voice peal out orders from between the doors.
"Stack the damn books better! I'm going to burn this place to the ground, whether you live or not depends on how well you do."
In between obvious sobs, a female voice replies.
"I-I'm trying, please don't hurt us."
Aravashnial whispers urgently to you upon hearing the second voice.
"That's Fenna, I know her! I don't recognize the first voice. We have to save her, quickly, quickly!"