"I think not having a brain has finally caught up with him." Targis remarks. "Better late than never. I'd almost feel bad about killing such a pathetic creature now. Almost."
Unable to think of anything better, Sahala simply shoots at the nearest gargoyle with a crossbow.
Sap was moving.
Aurical launches into a fierce denoucniation of brainless Demonlordworshippers, which confused a gargoyle and adds to Arrius defenses!
Due to the distraction, and also the smite, the attack misses!
The godess protects!
But not from that
Or that
Due to the interference auf Aurical, and Iomedae herself (smite) the 2 claws miss Arrius or scrape of his armor, but he takes savage hits from the horns and bite, 9 damage to Arrius!
Soon you will be as brainless as my employee!
Party is up!
Aurical's tail goes straight in delight as his distraction proved to be working, but as Arrius takes more hits he makes a frustrated growling sound. Which would be cute given how it sounded coming from such a tiny dragon, let alone a kobold. He continued to clap his sickle about trying to distract the brute so the party could work.
Constantine reaches his hand to touch his chest and heal some of his wounds.
He then returns the hand to the hilt of his nodachi and swings at the attacking creature!
Targis retaliates with a heavy blow of his own.
Arrius lands a sizeable blow on the fat foe, the fury of the inheritor burning bright within him and piercing its tough hide, Targis blades impacts on the gargoyle fighting him, his stone skin absorbing a sizeable part of the impact, but it seems hurt now.
When his spell is finally complete, Yartak moves beside one of the ruined walls to get some cover. From there, with his magical enrgies depleted, he fires a cold beam at the surrounded gargoyle.
Yartaks frost ray hits the fat Gargoyle fighting Arrius, the magic damaging it through its tough hide.
I WILL RIP YOUR HELMET UP AND USE IT AS A LOO
The Slim Gargoyle seeks to unleash another torrent of attacks at Targis
He does burst through Loves enchantment this time, but fails to leave more then scratchmarks on the armor of Targis.
Sahala, assessing teh fat gargoyle to be sterner prey, seeks to make it just as unlucky! Using misfortune hex.
She then goes into a polite chuckle, visualizing the Fat Gargoyle slipping on a Banana peel.
Misfortuned, the fat Gargoyle attacks Arrius!
19 hits vs smite AC of 19
18 misses vs smite ac
12 misses
10 misses
7 Damage to Arrius
All whoevers that watch, let me hit the slim f~*+er in the balls because if I heard right his head is full of loot, come on, lets see if this bullet is actually magic! You hear the figure whispering.
Weird, I feel better! Maybe the I-Girl liked my stunt with the big idiot.
You hear the man talking as he seems to be looking through a scope mounted on his long firing stick.
Another crack happens as something impacts the slim gargolye, right in its rear end, leaving him badly wounded.
He seems to be on his last legs.
What is it with me and hitting things in the rear end today? He adds.
Party is up!
"Stings a little, don't it?"
Trying to mask a wince Constantine also channels Iomedae's power to heal himself (again).
Targis takes a swing and a miss at the gargoyle. He's been pleased with the resilience of his armor, but it always could be better. As his mind wanders even slightly, his edge alignment gets all messed up, and he slaps the gargoyle harmlessly with the flat of the blade.
Yartaks ice blast connects with the fat gargoyle,
F&+$ing mage I will play football with your skull once I am done flaying your Paladin! The Fat Gargoyle laughs as his horns and fangs tear into Arrius dealing a total of 15 damage, only for Arrius to seize the moment and drive down radiance! The blade hungrily cuts through the shoulder of the gargoyle, and connects deep into its torso. With a Mighty Kick, Mega Arrius kicks the broken Gargoyle away from his blade, throwing a quite threathening glare at the slim Gargyole.
Shocked by the carnage, Targis misses his attack.
Hej, if the Paladin doubles in size, can I make twice the amount of Paladin juice from him? The Slim Gargoyle says, apparently, it has not quite registered the gravity of the situation
No you idiot The decapciated head of the fat gargoyle snarls
We dont know how to make Paladin juice! And if its made directly from Paladin body fluids, then you could make 8 times the amount of Paladin juice from him because thats how enlarge person works! Now bugger off, nobody knows what happens when an actual Paladin drinks Paladin juice! It continues before the magical energies animating it fall silent.
You are dead so you dont give me orders fatso! I am the boss now! Haha! The slim Gargoyles outburst reminds Arrius that the forces of chaotic evil probably would have conquered Golarion, if they were organized at all.
Aurical will shuffle around to the side of the gargoyle Arrius is fighting. "We need to finish them off." the kobold hisses out in stress, "Or we'll be worn down."
She seeks to move with out a sound and from behind the shooter.
Says. She is careful not to have any arms out and her hands behind her back.
"What you shooting at Sunshine?
The f%@@ing Gargoyles, and since you dont look like a part of their outfit you are probably not going to stab me. Weird that I dreamt of a Lass that looks a bit like you though. He answers as he draws a bead on the remaining Gargoyle.
That bugger probably has some loot in his head, Ill shoot him if he gets away, but I would rather not accidentally headshot him and destroy the goods.
He seems to ready an action.
Fuuck, I am alone!
I escape with the Paladin juice haha!
The Gargoyle seeks to withdraw, Arrius alas get an AoO as he cant fully weave out of his enlarged reach, the Paladin does not power attack, confident that his quarry is pretty weakened!
I can get away The Slim Gargoyle thinks
I am lighter then ever! As it flies
Then its body recognises that it is... Bisected, horizontally at the point where the belly starts
I die seeing my awesome sixpack Is the last thought the Gargoyle ever has.
Combat over!
I was sweating a bit at the wand not getting used but you did well!
Guess I wont need to shoot that bugger, well Lady, is it going to be a stabbing or will you introduce me to your comrades? I am a bit slowed down on account of a statue related incident, even though my leg and right arm seem to have miraculously healed a bit. The sniper states with a smile.
[b]I cant f%~%ing believe I took out an Ulkreth with an gunpowder-enchanced anal statue of Iomedae insertion.
This seems to be Cydric de Bergerac, a Galtean immigrant, tailor and proprietor of the Silken Thread. It isnt quite known where he gets his silk from.
He was under some inquisitorial attention for anti-monarchical activities, but the Eagle watch deemed him clear of demonic subversion. He was a member of the Galtese military. Although you would not know of which unit in particular. You are however certain that he is no Grey Guardian, he seems far too friendly for that.
Galts military, particularly their officers, specifically officers of Musket units, got massively purged by the grey guardians not too long ago, remnants have fled away from Galt.
You find several potions in the Slim Gargoyles empty head.
3 are labelled "Paladin Juice lesser" and 1 is labeled "Paladin juice Greater", there is an attached note saying "Dont feed Greater Paladin Juice to actual Paladins as a lark, even if the Paladins are tied up or whatever. Unless you worship Kabriri, Koschtschie or Xorveron, totally feed it to Paladins in this case!"
Oh boy! This is a potion of bestow grace of the champion! But it seems to be altered somewhat?
Oh! Somehow this has been altered to affect non lawful good creatures?
Truely mythic!
Intersting, if you arent wrong, this was done by utilizing Succubus extract, given freely, if a Paladin drinks it he should enter something akin to a greater Abyssal Bloodrage, while also increasing his effective Paladin level for the duration! However, it is probably highly addictive for a Paladin!
It seems to be a potion of bestow grace! Pretty useful for some people!
It does seem to work on people who arent good! Very interesting!
"Fortunate timing for the fight to end; I was starting to bleed more than I like. I suspect I'm not going to like whatever this 'Paladin Juice' is..."
"O I never stab someone who shoots so well. Come on Cydric de Bergerac let's go to the others."
And she jumps past him, over the wall, and walks back to the others.
Seemingly unworried about him being behind him.
"Well done everyone, O I found a tailor"
Saphire gracefully walks back to the party, leaving the gunslinger behind her.
Mon Dieu, what a beautiful and predatorially gracefull way of walking!
The Gunslinger looks at Sapphire from behind and follows, using his boomstick as a walking aid.
Bon Jour, I am Cydric de Bergerac, once a soldier of la Republicque and now just a tailor. I take that you are another group of survivors? I have established a base at my sewing shop, collected some refugees, have been very thankfull for my memory because we placed a lot of traps, and then that Ulkreth showed up. I led it away, and in a incredibly unlikely turn of events, plausible indicative of several deities or such intervening, bested it, by means that are perhaps not to be repeated in female company.
The Gunslinger has a notable limp.
My base of operations is relatively close, perhaps just 5 minutes He looks at his leg
Or more like 15 minutes, we can link up, exchange information, barter and perhaps plot how to best the Bug-buggeres and Goat-groomers. I do count an Alchemist amongst my cohorts, could be useful in finding out what these bottles are. From rumors, they allow anyone, even Demons, to access some Paladin abilities, but these are rumors.
Using his boomstick to steady himself, he offers his hand to the party members.
She sits him down and looks at his leg
His leg is clearly hurt, you would think it is broken, you do see an improvised splint.
Targis shakes his hand, but that's all he can offer to this situation, considering he has no relevant knowledges.
"How are you holding up Arrius? You might want to consider some heavier armor not unlike myself."
Constantine speaks to the new arrival, "Greetings Cydric de Bergerac! I am Arrius Voralius Constantine, Paladin of Iomedae. Well met and I can confirm there was divine influence on the...events...that led to your victory over the Ulkreth. If I can't fashion a better splint my associate Targis and I will carry you to your base so we can get out of public view quicker."
Targis shakes his hand, but that's all he can offer to this situation, considering he has no relevant knowledges.
"How are you holding up Arrius? You might want to consider some heavier armor not unlike myself."
"I've had better days. Thankfully my budget allowed me to buy this wand which I'll use to patch myself up. I would love to have better armor someday; such is the lot of those of us on the losing side of the Cheliax Civil War. It's definitely on my 'wish list' of items. It would've also helped my defense if I could've hit the broad side of a castle but it seems my aim was not true for part of this day."
Seeing Arrius so a better job she steps back, but the leg would till be a problem.
"If you do not mind Cydric I will carry you. It will be quicker."
The Andriod says.
I thank you for your offer miss, but I believe I can make as good time as the good Mr. Kobold. Thanks to Mr. Arrius, and I believe that carrying a rather heavy weight such as me would considerably degrade the benefits you gain from your dexterity.
He is proud and would prefer to not be carried if he can avoid it.
This man is as Galtese as one can possibly be, as you can establish from his avoidance of any noble titles such as "Sir". Galtese culture looks down intently on being carried by sentient beings, as Chellish demands to be carried were one of the triggers of the uprising. Their initial military culture also placed great emphasis on self sufficiency, carrying allies under fire is still meritous, but it should only be done under active combat conditions. Further, officers were to lead from the front, eat he same food as their soldiers, and share in all of their troubles.
Seeing the wand, he says We have managed to acquire 2 of these. Getting your group healed up is the least I can do to repay your assistance.
Working together, you improvise a much better splint.
He inclines his head to Arrius as he hears him speak about the losing side of the civil war. As you make the splint, you see he has tatoos on his footsole. One symbol you instantly recognice, House Thrunes.
If this means "House Thrune is beneath me", or "I step on house Thrune" is not known to you right now, but this man is unlikely to ever surrender to Devils with that Tatoo, which may be just as intended. You have heard that such tatoos are common against Galtese military.
There is another symbol tatooed in his sole. That of the Grey Wardens, Galts feared inquisition/secret police/black ops. It was added later then the Thrune sigil. And would be rather bold declaration.
Do you proceed alongside him to the Atelier?
"Thanks to my compatriot Yartak I will be at my increased size for a time and I can easily carry you."
Constantine hoists Cydric up and carries him in the direction of the Atelier.
"See? And you can rest that leg for a time. Unfortunately we don't have any healing magic to fix your broken leg."
Oh well, if you insist, STOP, we put a pit trap there, there is another snare there, and yet another there. In case you are asking, it is surprising what desperation, shovels a ready supply of silk, Mendevian willingness to follow competent orders irregardless of heritage and someone who has absolutely not been an officer and the combat engineer detachment of the second republican guard can do. Everyone knows that the Grey did not leave any survivors during the purge yesyes.
As you approach, the shop, he tugs at a randomly lying around rope while saying "The bugs Scythe used to be a Dildo the Bat discarded". Several curious faces appear from various concealed positions.
You notice Sahala slightly wincing at the phrase, apparently a parole?
[b]F&@@ Cydric, you are alive? How? An elderly man with some weird looking potions in hand asks
I honestly dont know, but these fine fellows here had a hand in it. Minus 1 Ulkreth. Lets get into the shop. The gunslinger answers.
Anyone else tried to mess around?
We got a scout from the Kellids, says he is with the Orchestra and on the lookout for other sources of resistance, they seemed to have holed up in the park, established a raiding party and hit a bunch of cultists outposts in succession. Said he spotted us because of the Ulkreth. He is in the basement waiting, we gave him some water and food. And told him to not open the "totally no barely domesticated giant spiders here" door. The elderly man says
Well I hope he was smart enough to not go there.Cydric answers,
But let us head downstairs and confer.
In the builing and aroundside it, you count the elderly man, who seems to be Cydrics second, 2 roughly military age males, 3 women, 2 children and a rather buff looking guy who looks like he jumped out of a "FIGHT FOR GORRUM! JOIN THE ORCHESTRA AND SMASH" recruitment poster.
Cydric de Bergerac? The extremely Barbarian looking guy says
Ragnar Ragnarson, envoy of the Orchestra. I am sorry but I may have bad news... He pauses as he looks at the party
New faces? And a Paladin? Interesting. Hej, I think I heard of your group, but arent you way further south?
She tells the others the info she has.
Greetings the mercenary speaks
Oi, Yartak, thats you? Haha, cool to see you survived Noodlearms The burly merc approaches Yartak and puts him in a bear hug.
Since you are with them, Ill assume they also know what they are doing. Ole Ulric send Sevanna and 3 grunts to raid the tower of estrod. According to prisoner interrogations, some Cultist blowhard named Faxxon is in charge there, and awaiting some delivery by some other Cultist blowhard named Hossila. Supposedly some type of magic stick that could f~$& their plans over.
If your group and me starting getting their like, soonish, we can link up and take them down together.
You remember Sevanna, supposedly she ran away from a career as a Diva in Cheliax, joined a merc group and well, you heard her sing, while it didnt do much for you, the frontliners blade could start penetrating Demon hides, and were also imbued with sonic damage.
Sevanna? You remember a minor scandal in which an aspiring Opera Singer rebuffed the advances of an superior, hired Orchestra merc to rebuff further advances kinetically if needed too, and then eloped with the mercenaries. A rather fiery redhead with an Angelic voice if you are right.
Paladin juice? I have heard rumors, but I never had the opportunity to analyze it. From the rumors, it allows people who are not good aligned at all to access a subset of a Paladins powers, but if I could actually analyze parts of it... The elderly man offers.
Yartak responds to the big by trying to get out of it, his face showing clearly he's not comfortable.
"Yeah, whatever"
Now, when he hears of Sevanna, that's a different thing.
"Oh, is she here? That's good to know. Where's that bloody tower?" Yartak clearly would rather join Sevanna than this one.
Speaking to Ragnar, "Faxxon will be waiting forever for Hossila to arrive since he's already met an untimely end."
"If the casters are running on empty we should rest here. I could keep going, but I prefer to work with well rested soldiers, not half-useless liabilities that I need to protect." He softens slightly. "I understand that learning to control magical arts can take a lot out of person. It's to be expected that you don't have as much time to practice with weaponry or marching in armor. And I am not as young as I used to be, my muscles are aching."
Aurical scoffs at the suggestion he could be a liability. "I have only begun to use my blessings from great Abadar." he reasons, "Now gather round, those who are injured, and I will do his good work."
Feeling a bit rankled that people turned to wands before him, he will gather his power and let it wash over the group.
Really? What group did she have? How did she look like? Did she crawl before the goat or the bug? And did you obtain that magic stick thingy? Depending on what it is we can maybe figure out hat they are planning! And the information used can be
The big merc gets enthusiastic
And if her group contained people who can be impersonated, the tower is a naturall defensible position, if Sevannas group can bluff their way in, they will take less casulties.
You did talk to the Succubus Belana, parted amicably and did fight side by side. While none of you accepted gifts from her, this will result in a degree of inquisitorial attention if known. The other question is if you could plausibly keep it secret, or if you should. Ragathiel intervening and offering a deal to the demoness would likely clear you of charges from the inquisition.
Now, the orchestra higher ups knows that demoness, and could react in interesting ways to her turning up.
The Galtese gunslinger is likely a Callistrian, Callistria and Nocticula are rivals, even though their seems to be an agreement between them to steal rather then rob, and subvert rather then murder. Depending on how paranoid he is, Mr. de Bergerac could view a Succubus being that chatty in a wide variety of ways.
Being obviously important, and several other survivor groups likely being stronger then yours, many would think such an important item is better off in their hands. You did save Cydrics live, Galtese pay their debts, and he and his organization would back you against such attempts.
Yartak doubts for an instant, but then thinks the guy seems legit.
"Eh... You know, we might have possibly found the thing..."