** spoiler omitted **
Turning to his companions Constantine says, "Before we go into our meeting we need to check something over here...is anyone good at searching?"
Yartak shruds. "We're the best you have on hand anyways, so it'll have to make do." Reaching out to him and suddenly paying all his attention, he goes on. "What should we be searching for?"
Yartak shruds. "We're the best you have on hand anyways, so it'll have to make do." Reaching out to him and suddenly paying all his attention, he goes on. "What should we be searching for?"
"Those 'hard to observe ruins' 50 meters over there . I was given a divine hint there's something of interest hiding there."
Hand on the hilt of his nodachi, Constantine keeps his eyes open for any trouble.
"Come we have to move fast"
Saph leads the others out as they start to their destination.
As Saph gets close she will offer to stealth scout ahead.
So that Targis and Aurical know what is coming.
Stealth
Then
Kn engineering [to quick assessment for how well entrenched the place]
and
Kn Local [to see of there is a way in] on a quick assessment for how well
"Come we have to move fast"
Saph leads the others out as they start to their destination.
** spoiler omitted **
"Strength and honor."
Constantine salutes his teammates as they begin their mission.
"Let's do this."
In the indicated spot you find a package with a note
Hi Arry, this scroll gives you, as long as you are a Paladin, language proficiency in Abyssal and the trait "scholar of the great beyond". Its from something called "Defiance industries", and Alithera paid for these, she gave me one as a favor. Its what she uses to have her Paladin plantation speak Abyssal I guess. I gets destroyed upon being used. For some reason the Paladin only version are cheapest, probably because there is far more supply then demand I guess.
Signed B
Establihsing connection You hear a robotic sounding voice in your mind.
Lawfull presence detected. Good presence detected. Scanning for Paladin abilities. Scan succesfull, Paladin of Iomedae detected. Praise Abadar and Iomedae, may her legions be properly equipped. Do you accept Defiance-Industries approved Download of Abyssal language proficiency, as well as the basic planarology update? Y/N
Congratulations, you now speak and understand Abyssal, although your spoken Abyssal has the equivalent of a somewhat robotic austrian accent. You also gain the benefit of the "Scholar of the great beyond" trait.
Saphirre nearly reveals herself alas, someone is shouting inside the compound, loudly.
WHERE IS YOUR F#$$ING PLATEARMOR PRIVATE? An authoritative voice shouts
incoherent mumbling from another voice you hear someone whimpering
I ASKED WHERE IS YOUR PLATE ARMOR? YOU LOST IT? CONGRATULATIONS! YOU WILL NOW BE A PRIVATE FOR 157 YEARS BECAUSE THATS HOW LONG IT TAKES TO EARN ENOUGH MONEY FOR AN AXIS ASSAULT PATTERN PLATE MAIL! NO GO TO THE F#~!ING QUARTERMASTER AND the authoritative voice shouts again
more mumbling from another person the whimping increases
WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME? SIR? I F!$+ING WORK FOR A LIVING! THe authoritative voice almost shrieks
Seargent Dornan, leave the private alone for a bit, we have business to discuss. I am tracing the presence of a highly dangerous demoness named Belana the black feather, one teleport at the Nyserian manor, where apparently another resistance group has set up shop, and just now at the last stand tavern, close to our crusader allies.
THE BLACK FEATHER? ISNT SHE NOCTICULAN? F&~*, THE BAT B%&%! IS JOINING THE WAR INQUISITOR HAWKBLADE?
That would be dire indeed Seargent Dornan!
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **...
Subject already has Abyssal language proficiency. Rerouting "SKILLPOINT" into knowledge planes. Bypassing background skill/adventuring skill barrier because of "General Modification GM LICENSE"
** spoiler omitted **
Saphirre heads back and tells the others what she over heard.
from the Hell knights
You said Hawkblade is there? Good, good, he is much more reasonable and easier to deal with. Also, Belana the black feather? She is a Nocticulan headhuntress, but one who mostly recruits based on consent rather then breaking peoples minds. He pauses
Is frequently used as a bodyguard or liasion too, and her overall strength fluctuates constantly. There is a rumor that "black feather" is like, a title or a mask, and that different Succubi of vastly different power pretend to be the same person. The mercenary continues, knowing a surprising degree of things about that particular individual.
We should probably approach them openly He offers.
She slaps points at the other two.
"Wake up, you have to head on there and talk to these Knights. You two look like you know the right side of a blade. So let's get in there and start telling them what we need to. I am going to stay out here in case it goes sidewase"
Did you find something useful, dear? Are we moving on? Sahala turns to Constantine and giggles. But not like when everything starts to fall out of the hands of the enemies.
Did you find something useful, dear? Are we moving on? Sahala turns to Constantine and giggles. But not like when everything starts to fall out of the hands of the enemies.
For some reason unable to look Sahala in the eyes he replies, "Yes I think we can continue to our destination."
Although the temperature isn't hot Constantine is sweating - profusely.
"Alright. Will you tell us what did you find there?" Yartak asks out of sheer curiosity. He notices Arrius is sweating, and thinks of different situations that might have caused it. He decides to inquire no further, though.
She tells them.
"Alright. Will you tell us what did you find there?" Yartak asks out of sheer curiosity. He notices Arrius is sweating, and thinks of different situations that might have caused it. He decides to inquire no further, though.
"Something that was to allow me to speak Abyssal. Since I knew I would be joining the Crusade I had already learned it. It was a gift from someone."
"Hell knights on parade, looks like one NCO and about 8 knights. So I suggest you head in a say hello. Then give them the good news. A fight is to be had. Chap chap lads time is a passing"
She pats them on their tushes to hurry them along.
** spoiler omitted **
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Aurical was both confident and hesitant to approach, knowing he was likely to serve as the face for this little parlay. He hesitated, and was promptly ushered forward by Sapphire swatting him near his tail, which instinctually tucked in.
"I'm moving." he hissed back before leading his two, much taller, compatriots toward the front of the temple. Clawed hands held high and his holy garb on full display. "Lord of cities please don't let them shoot me on sight..." he whispered quietly.
He will try to spot this sergeant that Sapphire mentioned, giving his best disarming smile. Which was the same practice one he gave everyone. "I bring news from the front!" he declared with smug satisfaction and no pleasantries. These were hellknights after all. "We have intelligence about the demons movements, and the need to coordinate forces." he continued, "I am a member of an irregular unit of commandoes, and we have information for your commander's ears. On the god of law, I must speak with them."
Its a Kobold where is my crossbow? You hear a voice say from the battlement
A commanding voice booms over the first one
Actually, this may be what happened... the younger voice speaks
the booming voice answers
Sir yes Sir the younger voice speaks, moving away from the other
The commanding voice booms, as a full plated hellknight wearing a seargents insignia appears on an improvised battlement.
OK The hellknight speaks in a more normal voice
I am Swordsmanship-seargent Dornan, leading the hellknight detachment, because our Paralictor got eaten by a Vrolikai, and inquisitor hawkblade is leading a squad of inquisitors. The f&&+ exactly are you, are others with you and do you have any way of proving your credentials? He aks.
Well that went well thught Sapphire.
Just comes in and joins Aurical,
"What he says is true."
She reaches into her handy Havasack and pulls out a cultist insignia throwing to to the Sargent,
"These Choas cultis F*&^%ERS where moving geat and kit to a musting point. The F*&^%ERS are up to something, we aim to stop the cultis F*&^%ERS, we came here to ask for help."
Aurical would sweat at the brow if he were equipped to do so. Thinking desperately of what to say and considering what credentials he had. He technically was one of the two leading this little suicide squad, and he was mostly confident he had documentation to that end.
"I told you we are an irregular unit of... one second I have documentation." he begins as he reaches to his pockets for his credentials. Muttering to himself as he does so. "Because a cleric of Abadar isn't good enough fo- holy Axis!" he muttered before breaking into a squawk as Sapphire produced cultist iconography and handed that over.
Intentions aside, she was likely to get him perforated. It was his turn to swat at her backside, thumping the shapely killbot in the rear with his crossbow. "Your function is not diplomacy!" he crowed at her, "Why would you produce the symbols of our enemy?!" This was something he would never have even considered doing a moment ago, but his fear of Saphhire was lessened by the immediate concern of being turned into a pincushion.
Putting his gaze toward Dornan he pleaded with the seargent for accommodation. "Let us inside!" he blustered, "You would want to question us in person either way!"
You do as a matter of fact have a form BX96-157 identifiying you as a miracle worker of the 3rd grade, 3rd grade being 3rd lowest, for Abadar. For some, likely Defiance industries related reason, it now has the hallowed AA-59-6 attachment, which identifies you as an probationary employee of DEFIANCE INDUSTRIES and also entails a work and temporary residence permit on Axis.
Add these to your character sheet.
Get f*&$ing inside, dont draw weapons, the inquisitor will be here in a bit. The seargent says
Cultists wouldnt be dumb enough to show cultist symbols, so these must be adventurers, or perhaps even Pathfinders! I must quickly endeavor to point them at demons, and get them out of my hair before random murderhoboing happens, since they can see that I do wear expensive plate armor! you hear the seargent muttering to himself
The door opens.
Constantine continues to the tavern while briefing Sahala and Yartak on the basics of Iomedae and what they might expect from the Crusaders.
Sahala enters into a theological dispute with Constantine, popularly explaining that there is only one effective killer of Demon Lords in the multiverse - Nocticula herself. No one, from Iomedae to Asmodeus, can boast of such a portfolio. So in order to destroy Deskari, Treerazer and others, we need to learn from Her experience and enlist Her support!
[dice=Perception]1d20
Sahala enters into a theological dispute with Constantine, popularly explaining that there is only one effective killer of Demon Lords in the multiverse - Nocticula herself. No one, from Iomedae to Asmodeus, can boast of such a portfolio. So in order to destroy Deskari, Treerazer and others, we need to learn from Her experience and enlist Her support!
"Please don't speak like that out loud where we might encounter Inquisitors - and this is one place where we could. We'll all be in a prison somewhere..."
At the slap she her tush,
"Now now, not in front of the kids dealing."
She chuckles, then says
"All right, you showed them the letter and the here sergeant has the brains to show us to his leader, So no problem."
She starts to move inside, and as she passes the sergeant she says.
"Fine group on men sergeant, Fine group on men."
Very well, so, what exactly do you claim is going on? The seargent asks as a fit but slim man shows up, wearing studded leather
Cant I even take a s@+@ without a terrified recruit interrupting me? Inquisitor Liotr Hawkblade the other one says. He sees Askold
Not sure if this is the bestest time ever for our little medical appointment.
PAROLE! A female voice shouts as you hear the tell-tale sound of a crosbow being nocked
Baphomet sucks flacid cock Sevanna answers, recognizing the voice
Sevanna that you? the voice says
In the f%*&ing flesh Anevia, we got some news and of course they are bad. The Skaldess says
Get the f%** in, before the s!!*faced Vagorg and his f&%*ing Schir-Minotaur flying hitsquad shows up and gores you the voice says as the gate opens.
Sapphire just looks at Aurical as if to say.
"Go on, your the one with the honey mouth"
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
"Greeting Crusaders, I am Arrius Voralius Constantine, Paladin of Iomedae. We bring grim news of betrayal."
Constantine will turn over the recovered materials from the Tower of Estrod and combine that with what was learned in the first encounter (leaving out the magical item recovered). Giving the Crusaders time to examine and process the information, he will continue:
"I trust you understand how dire the circumstances are not just for Mendev but all of Golarion. If the fiends can somehow 'corrupt' the Wardstones their power would undoubtedly have a cataclysmic effect on the defenders. Right now those who have gathered together are appealing to your group, the Hellknights, and any other remnants we've managed to locate in order to combine them for a strike on the Grey Garrison. The battle will be difficult but we can achieve victory with courage and resolve. Failure to do anything will result in the deaths of us all."
But there's some good news, guys. We killed Vagorg and his horned friend. Sahala doesn't take the time to introduce herself, just smiles slyly. However, she hid the Nocticula symbol deeper under her clothes before going out to communicate. Her independent and bright nature calls for her to stand up as effectively as possible and pay attention to herself
Team Crusaders
Mrs. Sahala fancy meeting you here... Anevia, a women in her late 20s with a tomboy haircut says.
Visitors? Whats going on? A louder voice comes, Arrius recognizes the Paladin Irabeth Tirabade
This sounds dire Sir Arrius we need to marshall quickly and
A moment Ira, hej, try to have good and lawful thoughts yes? Anevia interrupts her
Anevia retrieves 5 different wands and uses them in succession
Not pinging on detect demon He eyes glow brightly
Mild pings on detect chaos on 3 of them
Not pinging on detect charms and compulsions
Sir Airrus pings as lawful
Other then Sahala, they all ping as good
Anevia finishes.
Huh, I ping as good? Sevanna says with palpable surprise
I dont know Mrs. Chelish opera princess, have you been selflessly caring about someone recently? Even if that someones freak-outs while asleep are physically strong enough to punch an adult through a wall? Anevia answers
How do you... Ok, its good in a fashion that someone in the crusade is actually ok at spying. The skaldess answers.
I can verify that Vagorg is ded as f#$!, as is that t!~+ Faxon, as are Vagorgs 2 Schirs, as is that f%$&ing cow Deradnu. The redhead continues.
Irabeths eyes also start glowing white
None of them detect as evil, good. Irabeth says
You actually killed these a$*!@#%s? I had to retreat from them. We lost good men, and while I value their sacrifice my failure to protect them weighs upon me.
What is your actual plan though, a joint assault on the grey garrison? Its unfortunetly a defensible place. Maybe its better if we draw them out, and then hit them. But... We cant exactly evacuate the wardstone from there, and if Arelu teleports in we have nothing to match her The Paladin continues
We caught a cultist saying the are searching for a rod of cancellation, which could apparently f!%% up their plans! Anevia interrupts
Look Nevi, unless we suddenly meet the mythic heroes of providence, what are the odds that some random guerillias have taken out the main mobile reserve hitsquad of the enemy, stole their plans, and got the mythic thingmajit needed to waylay their evil schemes at the last moment? Irabeth says
Party with the crusaders: Roll a DC 15 will save to not start grinning.
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Not a muscle moved on Sahala's face. She seems to look at them as not very smart kids.
"Miss Anevia and Lady Irabeth, don't despair; as Lady Irabeth can attest to there is always hope. When the Whispering Tyrant shattered Iomedae's sword did she lose hope, heart, and the battle? No! She gave a heartfelt prayer and oath to Aroden and her sword was instantly reforged into the artifact now called Heart's Edge - her Sixth Miracle! Just as Aroden provided for her, Iomedae will provide for us when the time comes. While the Grey Garrison is a defensible position I'm not sure we can draw them away from the Wardstone within if that's where their 'corruption ceremony' is to take place."
Auricala on the inskany tall a
She says in pig latin
Aurical produces form BX96-157 and the AA-59-6 attachment that had recently been clipped onto it. "First of all, the papers I promised proving my devotion to the church of Abadar and service to Axis." Aurical begins without flourish. Simply handing over the paperwork as a matter of course.
Once it has been properly observed he looks between the two men. "My squad has come across information that the cultists are looking to corrupt the wardstone." he explains, laying out for them what he knew about the dire threat hanging over everyone in the city.
"Now, whatever aid you can offer to the overall effort would be appreciated." Aurical continues, as if the help of the hellknights was a foregone conclusion. Or more as if the assault would continue if they came or not.
She takes off her Handy Haversack and pulls out a cloth, opening It she shows the head of the chaotic clric. munk they had killed.
"This pretty boy was leading a load of (*&^) chaotic cultists to site ,they were taking weapons and supplies."
I know that b%$++, there was a bounty, one Hosila, cultist of Baphomet? the hellknight seargent says thoughtfully.
A moment. Mr Askold, would you repeat what they said while bloodraging?
THe inquisitor says while looking at the Bloodrager
Clever. the bloodrager says as he doubles in size.
he points at the party members
Can I see that evidence? And is there proof, other then your word, for Vagorgs demise
I believe you. Ah f#%! thats bad.
And I guess you are assembling all available forces at your encampment Mercenary? Oh well, we will join, lets hope we dont end up stabbing each other at the war council.
People who bloodrage often have issues to lie effectively while they do so.
Both parties convince their plausible allies and meet up at the Kellid camp without incident.
All of your make it to the Kellid encampment.
Several ramshackle Palisades and cheval de Galt protect the approaches
The aim clearly being to funnel enemies into prepepared killzones, not to block them
to a set of trees
There are diagonal sky colored ropes between the trees, allowing a degree of movement from one to the other
The Mercs have been informed of your arrival, and let you in.
You look around, the 2 Mercs, Askold and Sevanna are seemingly in charge of the Mercenary remnants, The inquisitor hawkblade leading the inquisitors, the hellknight seargent Dornan the hellknights (even though he seems to be the sole actual hellknight), with a smattering of Paladins and Crusaders following the wife and wife pair of Anevia and Irabeth Tirabade.
Lastly, Cydric de Bergeracs traders and craftsmen seem to have an awfully suspicious number of albeit primitiv muskets.
Can anyone tell me what in the name of Callistrias supreme t@#& is going on? The Galtese begins looking expectantly at the party.
"Someone will need to make a distraction out here and attempt to draw as many of the forces inside the Gray Garrison outside while the rest of us enter the Garrison, eliminate the enemy, and make safe the Wardstone. It needs to happen now!"
Sensing doubt and hesitation among the assemble troops Constantine growls, "There are brave men and women dying up there. We're not going to wait; not one hour, not one minute. We're going to keep moving We're going to attack all night, we're going to attack tomorrow morning!
Sapphire steps forward and soluts.
"I volunteer for the Distraction party"
She says
The small kobold looked around for other volunteers, and then back up as Sapphire. His snout closed tight and his features pensive, or just passive. It was hard to tell with a kobold.
"I can go with her." Aurical offered patiently, "To make sure she doesn't get too deep in their ranks, and I have a few tricks to make sure she comes back in one piece."
He then tugged on the waist of her pants, bidding her to stoop down so he could whisper something to the kill bot.
"I have a new spell that I can use at a long distance." he informs Sapphire, "It only hurts evil, but can blind and dazzle in an area as well. I can sneak in with you, and wait at a distance for you to draw the enemy. Then aid in your retreat."
The small kobold looked around for other volunteers, and then back up as Sapphire. His snout closed tight and his features pensive, or just passive. It was hard to tell with a kobold.
"I can go with her." Aurical offered patiently, "To make sure she doesn't get too deep in their ranks, and I have a few tricks to make sure she comes back in one piece."
He then tugged on the waist of her pants, bidding her to stoop down so he could whisper something to the kill bot.
"I have a new spell that I can use at a long distance." he informs Sapphire, "It only hurts evil, but can blind and dazzle in an area as well. I can sneak in with you, and wait at a distance for you to draw the enemy. Then aid in your retreat."
Sapphire stops a moment and whispers back.
"We may have a problem there, in this time and place I kind of register as evil. I think it's the stabbing for money that does it. Let's change tack."
Then she pipes up.
"When I say volunteer, what I mean is I will instruct the troops assigned this distraction duty, on good means to be so. I will of course be with the main group attacking as I am good at the whole sneak and killing of things. As is my little chum here."