Yartak doubts for an instant, but then thinks the guy seems legit.
"Eh... You know, we might have possibly found the thing..."
Constantine carefully watches Yartak in case he shows some hesitation or concern.
The golden scaled kobold is a bundle of nervous energy as he thinks over just what might come to pass, but looking to Arrius he holds his tongue. Not that his face would give him away, seeming impassive and serene as a kobold of good influence might, though his tail was tense and shifted side to side anxiously. Thankfully, most of the civilized races didn't know how to read kobold body language.
Dear Tagris, I can laugh at your jokes all day... And I can over our enemies. One or two spells won't change anything. Obviously the witch is hinting at the misfortunes that often happen to her enemies while she giggles. No need to rest for me!
Yartak doubts for an instant, but then thinks the guy seems legit. "Eh... You know, we might have possibly found the thing..."
Tiefling casts a quick glance at Yartak.
Yes! Here, this infernal healing wand. Not the best thing for paladins and in general it is better not to talk about this in front of inquisitors of Iomedai, for example. But in our cases, when we survive... we have to use it. Sahala smiles innocently.
The Gunslinger looks at Yartak, Aurical and Sahala, as the mercenary listens with rapt attention.
I agree about not talking about wands of infernal healing in front of inquisitors, or hellknights. Apparently these 2 charming organisations have established themselfs in the temple of Shelyn. When some of mine established contact, they immidiatly sent me summons to serve them, which I didnt bother to reply to. The gunslinger speaks.
They do represent a fairly credible military force though, ideally, you point them on the demons, and then see to be somewhere else, at least that would be my advice. There is a much less stick in their rear end group of crusader grunts, lead by Anevia and Irabeth Tirabade, these 2 are fairly reasonable.
He continues
For what its worth, before buggering off, the Ulkreth went off on about how my wounding of him is irrelevant, for the city is doomed and will fall to Arelu Vorleshs magiks, and with it all of Mendev and Golarion Yadda Yadda. I give little credence to Demonic trashtalking, but namedropping Vorlesh was oddly specific. Ulkreths arent exactly known for the subtlety.
The gunslinger speaks with wary eyes
Oi Ulkreth? It buggered off? In defeat? How the f+~*?
THe Merc interrupts
An opportunity arose to combine a barrel of gunpowder, a statue of Iomedae, Sword held high, and Ulkreths poor sense of balance and its even more poorly protected... terminus of its digestive tract. The Gunslinger speaks with a fair measure of tact.
The Merc starts laughing like a madman, completely forgetting the previous line of inquiry.
Cydrics eyes move cautiously between Sahala and Sapphire
You need to understand that I had to do this with Care. This fight was not winnable, even for a veteran merc, it is honestly foolish, and his superior strength made it neither foolish, nor weak, and I could honestly not see a way to win but then...
He weaves a tale of his exploits, somewhat oddly accenting some select words, but in pronounciation and in tapping the on the table at exactly the words he is pronoucning oddly.
You need to care, this merc is an honest fool, his superiors are neither fools nor honest.
"Cydric was the recipient of divine aid, I am sure of it. Not that he was undeserving; his bravery and calm in the face of such a mighty foe is commendable and likely what led to the gods granting him favorable circumstances."
Hearing about the Hellknights, Constantine adds, "Yes extreme caution should be used when dealing with the Hellknights. Depending upon which Order they are from they can be extremely close to the leadership in Cheliax - if you catch my meaning. In some ways they'll probably get along famously with the Inquisitors..."
Well, boys. If everyone has rested and had a nice chat, I suggest we move on. This town won't save itself! Something alarmed Sahala in this place and these people, although she could not formulate what exactly ...
Saph had been standing still as a statue for hours, now talk of going was to be had, her eyes came on and glowed red in the shadows.
"I am ready and fully charged"
"I have more of my berserker's draught brewed, although I have already drunk two today. In my prime I only once handled more than 3, and I am no longer as young as I once was."
He glances over at Arrius. "How are you, holy warrior? Can you handle more slings and arrows of misfortune? Or do your divine ministrations need rest?" There is only a very slight hint of mocking there; Targis has no pools, no 1/day powers, no anything other than his HP and his mutagens. Still, he respects the martial proficiency of Arrius.
"I have more of my berserker's draught brewed, although I have already drunk two today. In my prime I only once handled more than 3, and I am no longer as young as I once was."
He glances over at Arrius. "How are you, holy warrior? Can you handle more slings and arrows of misfortune? Or do your divine ministrations need rest?" There is only a very slight hint of mocking there; Targis has no pools, no 1/day powers, no anything other than his HP and his mutagens. Still, he respects the martial proficiency of Arrius.
"Iomedae will judge whether I am prepared or not. The need to continue fighting is great. The enemy has time on their side; we do not. We press on to the next target."
Not heeding your growing fatigue you move towards the Tower of Estrod. Thankfully, its quite easy to find.
You take cover in a couple of bushes (tree where you currently are in).
And are treated to an odd sign as you arrive.
A single warrior, clad in heavily platemail displaying some octopus symbology and holding a very large axe stands confidently in front of the tower. As well as in front of a large grotesuque abomination.
Empty f~%+ing night F#*@son or whatever your name is, you are uglier then the tentacleface I looted that plate armor off, and thats saying something.
The Warrior announces to the abomination.
Its FAXON you borderline legasthenic mercenary idiot! FAXON WITH AN X! You hear a voice, not from the abomination but the tower itself.
Oi F$~+son, you get roughed up in cultist clown school for having a stupi ass cultist clown name or something? Anyway, that Tower now belongs to the Orchestra, and I will vacate you from the premises by ventilating you and your cultist clown carriage with my axe.
Can Bob smesh? The Abomination asks
Not yet Bob, But soon, smash the unbeliever for the glory of Baphomet and Kabriri! You can even eat him afterwards!The voice from the tower answers
For Baffometh and Khabibi! The large abomination shouts as it gets ready to fight.
Qlippoths beneath bugger my lovelive, does even a single one of your cultist clowns speak halfway decent Abyssal? Its Kab-ri-ri, frankly one of the easier demonlords to pronounce, they way you said it would mean, nothing in Abyssal and Lover in Quadiran? Why are the cultists we have been fighting in Kenabres f+~!ing idiots, even for cultists standards?
The plate armored Mercenary announces.
You get the feeling that both sides are trying to trap each other.
You know that plate armor guy, "Arkad the asshat". Known for being absolutely great at shittalking enemies and getting away with it. Pretty reasonable guy if he is not "in character". He has a thing we he talks with himself a fair bit if nobody is watching.
He is likely one of the strongest mercs available in the city, if the Orchestra remnants send both him and Sevanna, they are clearly trying to make certain that this mission is succesfull. Come to think of it, you arent seeing Sevanna anywhere.
The merc is occassionally looking to his south, as if waiting for some type of signal. The overgrowth area there provides good cover and concealment.
You are certain there is more then one person in that tower. You hear some chanting.
There is some very climbable vegetation about 30 feet to your southwest, which could be used to get on top, quite literally, of whatever enemies are in the tower.
Whispering quietly Constantine informs the group, "It seems both sides are trying to trap the other. If we want there's some vines and trees about 30' to the southwest we can use to climb to the tower and bypass anything below."
"Uh... Yeah, sure..."
Sahala smiles at this idiotic scene. On the one hand, the invasion of demons is terrible and deadly. On the other hand, this city has become noticeably more cheerful. Of course, bypassing is always better. Only you boys will lift me up! I'm as good at climbing as paladin is at debauchery.
"Good strategy, small flaw." Targis gestures to his platemail. "I've got some training in climbing with it, and I could get up a dangled rope, but freeclimbing is right out. Don't trust those vines with my bulk."
"Good strategy, small flaw." Targis gestures to his platemail. "I've got some training in climbing with it, and I could get up a dangled rope, but freeclimbing is right out. Don't trust those vines with my bulk."
"Rope I've got; a way for someone to climb up and secure the rope for the rest of us seems to be the issue."
You notice something strange, from your peripherial vision, perhaps it is a fluke, but you dont think it is, from your perspective, it looks as if some of the vines form a thorned crown, the symbol of your lady in shadows, almost beckoning you towards them.
Do you focus closer?
Liliyashanina:
As you focus closer, you can almost see through the vines, and the wall behind them even!
You hear a chuckle behind your eyes, and also see 4 Clerics or cultists in Baphometan heraldry, as well as a single thiefling, who sits crosslegged in their middle, his concentration on some ritual occassional broken by feeling almost forced to shout retorts at the Mercenary outside.
You intuit that the thiefling is trying some type of commune or message spell. As your vision retracts, your point of view retracts to your own body, but you notice that the wall behind the vines now has 2 roughly eye shaped holes, suitable to shoot though, and a smirking mouth, though which a medium sized creature could squeeze, which almost certainly werent there before.
I wonder if I get to "eat" a Paladin in a very metaphorical way A melodious female voice speaks in your head.
The "eyes" would also make it easier to climb up, if you know they are there.
Stabbing contest participator detected! Sending Authentification signal! One of your communication routines start running
You notice the Mercenary flinching for a moment.
Stabbing contest participator identified as "Askold the a!#&~$$$, current stab rating, one knife. Stabbing counter: One Incubus, 2 Schir, 4 Abrikandidus, 6,66 Dretches.
Sending participation data in 3,2,1
You can stop the countdown, but it is likely it could lock you out of something.
Let's praise our Lady in the Shadows. Sahala looks at the vine reverently for a while. She seems to have had some kind of vision. See! There's something like a crack in the wall. You can get through there... She looks skeptically at the warriors in heavy armor. If you try hard enough. We need to hurry. It seems that one of the servants of Baphomet is desperately trying to contact someone with the help of magic. I don't think he orders cocktail ingredients for the party.
Constantine shifts his gear around in an attempt to improve his odds of squeezing into the crack in the wall.
"I might need Targis to give me a push."
"And I might need you to give me a pull. Reciprocity is the spice of life I suppose." Targis drinks his mutagen and gives Arrius a good shove when the paladin is good and ready to get through the wall.
Gonna bot Aurical and Saphirre
The Group advances with as much stealth as it can muster towards the vines, the borderline arrow slits, vaguely shaped like smirking eyes for some reason giving them good vision on its interior, they see a cursing thiefling in a ritual circle, attempting some kind of ritual, and 4 cultists dressed in Baphometan garb and wielding glaives.
Sapphire agily and stealthily moves through the very much mouth shaped larger hole, without anyone in the building the wiser, so that the more bulky forms of Targis and Arrius dont get mobbed as they squeeze in, while Aurical and Sahala stay outside for now, likely finding it far more convenient to apply crossbow bolts or hexes through the shooting slit like eyes.
Arrius is next into the "mouth", and as Targis gives him a push a resounding clang happens and the heads of he cultists turn, only to snap back south as there is a veritable explosion there. A portion of the southern wall, marked in blue disappears and 3 well armed mercs charge through.
At the same time, the standoff reaches a climax.
BOB HAS IDEA! YOU GET OVER HERE! The abberation shouts as it suddenly throws its hooked chain at the warrior in front of it!
Utterly nonplussed, the warrior catches the hook with his left well armored hand.
Oi, is this hook actually attached to you body? Ha! NO U
The Merc foams at the mouth and doubles in size, before grabbing the hooked chain and dragging the abberation towards him.
Only for the abberation to disappear into a pit trap that apparently was the reason for the standoff.
Wer andern eine Grube gräbt
hat meist ein Grubengrabgerät
He who digs a pit for other usually has a digging tool
The Mercenary laughs as he charges in, jumping straight over the pit!
To his suprise, the abomination attempts to pluck him out of the air with its second hook, but misses, partly because its lying in a spiked pit.
With a massive strike of his Great axe, all but cleaves the southernmost cultist in twain, alas, fiendish hatred keeps him standing for now.
You hear an Angelic voice from the south, as large Bloodragers weapons begin to glow in a golden color.
The promised land
our mighty land
our future has an open end
we dedicate to lives debate
all we vanquish in this moment!
The 3 mercenaries, wearing Bardiches in their rights and heavy javelins in their left, open up with their heavy javelins on the southern cultists.
One finds purchase as the southern most cultist, already struck by a massive axe, collapses into a bloody heap by the sudden onslaught.
The 3 warriors adjust the grips on their bardiches, now holding them in both hands.
I got the sending through, hold out! Deradni and his crushers are coming! The infidels will be gored and trampled! The Thiefling shouts as he raises himself up, eyes brimming with fiendish power.
More foes from the north! Protected the noble Faxon! The northernmost cultist shrieks
I can handle myself, cut down that Bloodrager, I have been told we can use his head and heart to gain favors from lord Dagon! The Thiefling answers, eyeing the party menacingly.
You have one surprise round, then its initiative, you can use the surprise rounds to get into the building, if you arent Sapphire or Arrius who are already inside.
"Methinks we might be somewhat out of our comfort zone." Targis mutters to himself as he tries to squeeze through the wall. "Pit traps, hook handed horrors, and jumping barbarians. Whatever happened to two heavily armored individuals trying to kill each other like civilized folk?"
Saph had gone invisible just before the mouth.
Moving up behind the Tifling, then when it was distracted she struck.
"Hello my Pritty Pritty Pritty, will you play with me"
She says into its ear from behind as her blades try to find their way it its kidneys.
Yartak find this is the right time to squeeze into the tower after his friends. After all, the confrontation will go on with or without him.
Constantine retrieves his Wand of Bless Weapon and casts the spell upon his nodachi.
I've never seen paladins climb into a mouth opened by a demon, Sahala whispers softly with a half-smile, and then looks askance at the cultist closest to her .
Aurical watched Sapphire sneak up on the main cultist with a sense of amusement, and lined up a crossbow bolt on the next nearest enemy so that he could take the attention away from the cunning assassin. "So useful, that one." he reasoned quietly, "Always disposing of threats so diligently."
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Spontaneous GM boon
Hmmm, Paladins are pretty useful. In your mind, you hear a voice like sheer bliss.
Especially since my most entrepeneurial vasall Alithera unlocked their formdiable abilities for the purposes of carefully chosen members of demonkind. You did well in recovering the vials from the insipid servants or Xorveron, whose origin story clearly does not involve accidental self petrification to deal with his lack of... hardness, irrespective of any provided stimuli The voice continues
It would please me if Mrs. Alitheras alchemical exploits would also benefit those of sufficient quality and taste on the material plane. I am certain you will not disappoint me. How convenient for you to have a specialist in alchemical self improvement with absolutely no involvement with any of my near-peer-competitors nearby. You hear an energizing feminine chuckle as 2 of your extended spells refresh.
Good luck little one, and dont get gored. The voice vanishes.
Init Order: >> means you are up
>>Aurical
>>Arrius
Enemy Mooks
Enemy Faxon
Friendly Mercs
Enemy Bob
Rest including remaining Mercs
Narrative:
Sapphirre agile and quickly creeps up on the cultist with the unfortunate name of Faxon, while some chroniclers hold that the bullying received due to the combination of being a thiefling, and being named Faxon, resulted in him tendering himself to Baphomet, others maintained that he was just an a$#%&&%~ to begin with. Nevertheless, Saphirre is shocked that the Cultist weathered her onslaught with far less difficult then expected!
Weirdly enough, you see wounds opening up on the other cultists as you strike their leader!
Ah, an interesting thing has delivered itself to me!
The leader snarls as he looks at Saphirre
This cultist leader is faaar too confident given that they are outnumbered more then 2 to 1!
Specifically, both Saphirres second strike and Aurical arrows seem to be stopped by some invisible force field that glares in red momentarily as it blocks the blows, only Saphirres first strike has struck true so far.
Hahahah! Baphomet shields his faithfull!
Constantine moves forward and strikes at the leader with his nodachi!
As Arrius massive blow, that fully impacts at the leader somehow causes another cultist to shriek in pain, bloody tears gushing from her yes.
The leader stops his trashtalking and looks at Arrius with an expression of sheer hatred.
Faxon, the pain, we need to start killing them The bloodied cultist speak, looking in some shock at the blood running out of her own eyes.
Then f++@ing do so you twat! The leader snarls.
Aurical still has his actual turn, he attack before was the surprise round.
With the leader shielded, and the next nearest target as well Aurical briefly wondered where to aim. With no better option he took aim at the target furthest from the shield and fired.
OUCH! The cultist Aurical aimed at shouts as she suddenly has a crossbow bolt in her midsection.
This does no cause any wounds to open up on the cultist boss
The northernmost Cultist takes a swing at Askold, putting his entire might into the blow
And is rewarded with a sizeable blow
Feel the power of Baphomet! She shouts
Eh, if his favored weapon was a properly manly bardiche, and not yet another case of intellectual property theft, I would perhaps be worried. Like, seriously, you steal weapon technology? From Shelyn? Thats like, stealing make up tips from my lord Gorrum... Ahhh, that why you clowns all look like trash!
Sisters, his blasphemy seeks to focus our attention from him! I shall defend the noble Faxon! The second cultist, counting from the north says
F@%+son is still not going to date you
The bloodrager replies,
Lies, if you keep hitting Paladins like that I totally will! The Cultist champion cuts into the conversation
Less talk and more murder! The thrid cultist shrieks as she cuts into the towering bloodrager, who is not looking good by now
What a succulent little Paladin His hands glowing with power, he tries to touch the Paladin
Arrius can feel his life sapping from him, and the cultist leader seems reinvigorated!
Flankieren, ausführung
Acting in unison, two of the mercenary footmen take their Bardiches into 2 hands and charge at the southernmost cultist, flanking her with the assistance of the Towering Bloodrager, felling her with 2 wild yet potent strikes.
The third one, having identified Faxon as their leader charges him instead
His blow connects, and the extra vitality the cultist leader gained is all but gone.
There are additional combatants, also opposed to the Demons. One of them a Paladin. He says quickly
Striding into the battle next is an extremely attractive singing readhead.
Beholding Faxon she says
So, a fraudlent real estate salesperson, a motherf*+%er and a walking protein supplement walk into a bar. The Barkeep says "Whatsup Baphomet"
Foolish twat! That Joke is about Koschtschie!
Alas, the cultist leader is unaffected by the joke.
The Bloodrager strikes out at the northernmost cultist which has just damaged him, cutting her in two.
Only you and your fangirl left F&!~son He grins
Oh Yeah? You think so?
10 seconds at most, and maybe I can take one of them out! Come on Faxon, you can do it! He whispers to himself
You almost seem to sense something coming in from the east, flying? In a weirdly silent way? Like, you dont hear anything, but there seems a curious absence of sound... You can pinpoint the squares that are weird.
Bob meanwhile climbs out of the pit.
Stay here! Ill get you! I am the biggest boi here!
Sevanna, the next joke is on this clown, make it simple. The other f%&* is some type of Cleric, strong will, tough, weak reflexes, always target the weakpoints.
The Bloodrager says as he points to the abomination.
Sahala will squeeze through the "mouth" in the wall. Cover me, she whispers and walks forward so that she can clearly see the head of the cultists. And just looks at him expressively. As she usually does.
Aurical will do just that, holding his position of safety and taking aim at the nearest enemy to Sahala. Though he nervously looks at the damage being dealt to the frontline.
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"You've done well Arrius. Now let me take your place so that you might heal up." Targis charges, drawing his halberd, and firing off a mighty overhead chop.
Edge alignment? Perfect. Berserker drugs? Operating at peak capacity. Bisection? Imminent.
Targis strikes a massive blow, one that would dissect himself twice over,
There is a resounding clang as Targis Halberd collides with the mercenaries bardiche, which was already within the cultist leader, with a mighty heave, Targis seeks to rip his halberd free, only for the upper section of Faxons torso to stick to it.
Grrlbghhhh random syllables come out of Faxons mouth before he is just dead.
Sir Faxon noooo! The remaining cultist cries a massive amount of bloody tears as she is hit by parts of the blow, Faxon alas is...
Well he is everywhere.
I do hope these guys are friendly the mercenary closest to Targis says as he tries to free his own weapon out of his remains.
Excellent, you seem to be a bit of an artist when it comes to explore and then physically manifesting the split personalities inherent in many cultists. You hear a feminine voice in your head, but you think its coming from the mouth you have just crawled through.
Is this perhaps a way to do reconaissance? Oh my, there are soo many worthy targets to be reconneutered.
Totally just one mook left yesyes.
Dont forget to roll for perception, one perception or knowledge roll per turn is a free action.
Constantine appears to be distracted by his own ill health...
Sahala looks at Tagris with delight, licks her lips slightly and makes a movement with her hand, as if she wants to gently run her fingers along his back. She was definitely impressed by such a demonstration of strength and brutality.