Tabil bids Irabeth and the rest of the Eagle Watch his goodbyes, wishing them luck in fortifying, holding, and rebuilding Kenabres. Stating the ransacking and destruction of the Tower of Estrod being a horrible tragedy, he expresses hope of Kenabres having a similar institution functioning in the near future. His exact words being that the city "should prepare an appropriate spot for Sword of Valor", as they would be "bringing it back soon." He delivers the words with a reassuring smile and a pat on the shoulder, though doubt is creeping into his mind as he does so. As he heads for the door of the Defender's Heart, he takes one last look at the place and shouts, "We should be back for a glass of wine in a few months. Keep a bottle corked for me." He turns and waves as he leaves.
~~~~~~~~~~
After the introduction to the Aron, Sosiel, and Nurah, Tabil nods to Galfrey, and turns to the new faces with a slight bow of the head. "Tabil Inwafi ibn Yazid al-Hawah, scholar and tinkerer. It's a mouthful, so a simple "Tabil" will do. Pleasure to make your acquaintance. I must say that I am the newest member of this group", he gestures towards the rest of the freshly designated knights, "but it was a very potent, if brief, sequence of events that brought us together. I understand we are to cooperate in the acquisition of Iomedae's banner and uh... retaking of Drezen? Do I have that right?" He offers handshakes to the trio and raises an eyebrow at the end of the last question, as if to confirm that it is truly the case.
Sir Merlin Broke crown does have a nice ring to it. Most gracious of your Majesty. We shall indeed return triumphant and with Drezen once again a Medevian city! Praise Iomedae!
Sir Merlin walks slowly along the line of troops that the Queen has introduced. The Marshal making mental marks of merit mostly motivated by much nodding and winking as he passes by each individual troop.
At the Queen's suggested course, the Fighter peers at the available maps of the trek, points, nods and graciously bows his accent.
Krakas bowed his head low as Galfrey dubbed them Knights of the Fifth Crusade, his hand tightening.
“I will wear the name, Majesty,” he said, voice gruff, “but I’ll not pretend I feel worthy of it. Not yet. My blood is what it is, and some will never see past that. But if serving as a knight means carrying the fight to Drezen, if it means winning back the Sword of Valor, then I’ll see it done.”
Looking at the knights and soldiers, remaining quiet, whispering slightly to the group, "I'll leave the leading to you guys, I doubt Crusader's will be able to look past the horns. . .my parents were crusader's and they certainly couldn't" adding the second part with sarcasm from many years of overcoming the pain of being abandoned.
Tavos lowers to one knee as the Queen speaks the words Knights of the Fifth Crusade. The ivory mask tilts downward, the gem at its forehead glimmering like a captured star.
“Oaths bind the living, and the dead remember.”
When he rises, his voice carries no pride, only calm resolve.
“Majesty, I will bear the title if it helps the cause, though I was never meant to wear one. The spirits call this a duty long delayed, not an honor. Still, I will serve.”
He inclines his head toward the soldiers arrayed before them, taking their measure without judgment. “They look to us now. We will not falter.”
As the introductions begin, Tavos steps forward beside Tabil. His tone remains quiet, but the words carry easily.
“We will walk the Queen’s road, and the spirits will walk with us. They remember Drezen. They remember the banner. They whisper that this work must be finished.”
The gem glows faintly, then settles again. He looks to Aron, Sosiel, and Nurah, his posture steady, the mask reflecting the light of the campfires.
“I was not meant to be a knight, but I will stand among you as one, if only so that the dead may rest.”
“March, and let the stones sing again.”
Assuming no complications, the journey to Drezen should take 4-1/2 days. Each day, the army uses a number of units of food and water equal to its Consumption — 5 per day. Since foraging for food isn’t really an option in the Worldwound, the army must carry its own food and water supplies. While you may be able to resupply along the way, Queen Galfrey strongly recommends you carry as much as they can when they set out to account for delays, such as time spent recovering from battle, or time spent camped near Drezen while you pursue your mission.
The army can carry up to 50 units of food and water at any one time — enough to supply the army to Drezen and give you 5-1/2 days to take the city. The army begins its march fully stocked with food.
The journey north brings you to Valas' Gift, a small town surrounded by surprisingly fertile lands. Once one of Kenabres’ primary sources of food and grain, Valas’ Gift has been destroyed by demons, and its citizens have scattered into the surrounding hinterlands. When you arrive, you find the village a smoking ruin, with no evidence of survivors.
Tabil is a well-read man, branching his studies into many various topics. And while that does include military logistics, Tabil understands the difference between articles and experience. Theory and practice. He walks through the camp to discuss the potential problem with the officers. When he appears to discuss the food supply later, he speaks. "I've been told every army is but a few meals away from an open rebellion. We can not count on having the option to acquire food easily on the way to our destination, given the terrain. This town used to be Kenabres' breadbasket. We should take advantage of it. Perhaps they had something stored that was not burned or taken."
He pauses briefly before continuing. "Another option is to leave a small auxiliary force here with wagons, have them gather supplies and catch up to us later. Assuming nothing goes awry, of course."
Krakas takes in the scenery, thinking about what he might know about Valas' Gift . "I'd be hesitant to split our forces, would just be opening us to greater losses. I see the value in your suggestion, Tabil. We should take advantage and look around, there may be leftover stores still or perhaps even survivors from the attack that can shed light on what happened,"
Avenger is all for foraging, and can supply Nature to the mix.
He will also grow fruit for the men at every mealtime because people should have something that not dried and salted.
Would this extend the rations? The power does explicitly say that it is nutritious.
Tavos slows when the burnt rooftops of Valas’ Gift come into view. Smoke drifts low over the fields, and the air still carries the scent of ash. He takes a few quiet steps through what remains of a fence line, gloved fingers brushing a post blackened to dust.
The ground remembers hunger and ash
He looks toward the others.
"There’s nothing here worth saving, but there might be enough to keep us moving. The spirits warn against staying too long... the ruin never stays empty for long."
He kneels for a moment, resting his hand on the soil before standing again. "If we forage, we should do it quickly. The Queen was clear about our limits but I’ll trust each of your judgment on how long we risk the delay."
Quickly Quickly. The dead do not wait. The Deamons will not wait.
Merlin (having zero Survival type skills) will guard the parameter of the farm, as those more outdoorsy forage.
Perla offers her skills up "I scout anyways, and me and Shadow could check the surrounding area to figure out if anything is left. I feel confident in our abilities to survive, and with only two of us it may be easier to seek out supplies or hide."
Tabil is able to figure out where some of the local merchants might have hidden some food or drink.
Krakas understands where farmers might have stored some grain or other foodstuffs, that might have been overlooked.
Avenger of the Green, while searching the blasted area, finds a few corners of fields that still have some crops and the trickle of a stream with water that is not polluted.
Tavos, meanwhile, feels the damage to the crops. Where the feeling of burning is less, leads to a field house. The root cellar is still locked. Upon opening it, there are many root vegetables.
While spending a day uses up resources (5), you actually end up with more than you started with.
You journey north by northeast about 52 miles. It is about midday when scouts from your army hurry back and report to you.
Vilareth Ford has been taken by the enemy.
Vilareth Ford is the northernmost crossing point on the West Sellen—few settlements and no fords or bridges exist farther north from here on the Mendev side of the river. Named for the crusader general who first held the ford against a host of tief ling cultists eager to use it as an invasion point, Vilareth Ford has long been watched over by a small contingent of crusaders
You are less than a half hour's march to the ford. Your army can confront the bulk of their troops, and you will confront the commandant and her lieutenants.
You round the bend, the crusaders who once protected the place are dead, and their heads and entrails now decorate bunkerlike structures that line the river’s bank.
The two armies clash. A space opens up in the ford itself, and you see four of the Tiefling Minions and a Demon. She shouts, "Who are these upstarts who attack Umestil. Kill the crusaders!"
This is a Brimorak.
You can ask a question about them.
➤ Tabil AC 23 │
➤ Avenger of the Green AC 23/25 │
Umestil │
Umestil's Minions (A, B, C, D) │
Tavos AC 22 │
Jarlgrum AC 24/26 │
Krakas AC21 │
Merlin Brokencrown AC 24/26 │
Perla AC 23 │
⠀⠀Shadow AC 22
- Drezen
- Blackwing
- Loumis Fine Fittings
- Horgus Gwerm's Mansion
- Anevia's Home
- Defender's Heart
- Tower of Estrod
- Topaz Solutions
Avenger moves up and sprays the enemy with splinters. There's a rush as he feels them launch with more power than ever before.
"Don't bother. We have the high ground." Tabil shouts at the demon and his cambions. Without missing a beat, he pulls out his bow and fires at the horned creature.
Minion A takes full damage
Minion B takes double damage
Minion C takes no damage
Minion D takes half damage
Umestil takes half damage.
Tabil uses up his Wardstone shard (remember, it acts like a talisman), so, when he hits, it does all kinds of extra damage.
(Perla gets the Shared Strategem)
Umestil drops a fireball on everyone except for Avenger.
Reflex Save DC 23 vs .
Then it moves forward.
Minion A strides forward and slashing, making Avenger of the Green Off Guard.
Minion B strides forward and slashing.
Minion B slashing.
Minion C strides forward and slashing.
Minion C strides forward and slashing.
➤ Tabil AC 23 │
➤ Avenger of the Green AC 23/25 │
Umestil │
Umestil's Minions (A=9+9=18 (3d6), B=18+19=37 (6d6), C, D=4+7=11 (3d6/2)) │
➤ Tavos AC 22 │
➤ Jarlgrum AC 24/26 │
➤ Krakas AC21 │
➤ Merlin Brokencrown AC 24/26 │
➤ Perla AC 23 │
⠀⠀➤ Shadow AC 22
- Drezen
- Blackwing
- Loumis Fine Fittings
- Horgus Gwerm's Mansion
- Anevia's Home
- Defender's Heart
- Tower of Estrod
- Topaz Solutions
Krakas darts for the trees, patting out the lingering fires from the enemy's fireball, patting himself shouting, "Spread out, don't group up,"
Then he reaches out a hand and casts a spell, making a yanking motion at Umestil.
Merlin watches the Fireball expand until it detonates around them.
The Fighter simply brushes his shoulders off!
The Marshal winks at everyone around him!
Merlin then Raises his Shield and Strides a bit closer to the action.
He whispers to Krakas.
Perhaps I will meet him halfway!
Tavos steps forward towards the shallow water. He steadies himself, pressing one hand to the gem in his mask as he exhales. The faint hum of the spirits sharpens into focus.
The air around him thickens as he enters the channeler’s stance, threads of unseen power drawing tight between his body and the spirits that cling to him.
He raises his free hand toward the enemy line. The gem flares, and the ground beneath them begins to hiss. Bubbles form, then burst as molten stone seeps upward, spilling through cracks in the earth and turning the shallow ford into a boiling mire of lava and steam.
Earth burns, and the living are reminded.
* Stride
* Channler's Stance
* Earth's Bile (10 foot burst), D and Umestil
HP: 74/74
Focus: 3/3
Hero Points: 1
Active Apparitions: Custodian of Groves, *Steward of Stone*
Spell DC 22 (standard) + Charges (apparition DC)
Mask Charges: 1/1
Animist Spells
Cantrip: Divine Lance (+12 vs AC), Shield
1st: Bless, Command
2nd: Blood Vendetta, Faerie Fire
3rd: Circle of Protection, Fear (heightened)
Apparition Spells:
1st: (1/1), 2nd: (1/1) 3rd: (1/1)
Staff of Control:
3/3 charges
Apparitions (all signature spells)
Cantrip: Ignition, Tangle Vine
1st: Heal, Harm, Interposing earth, Protector Tree
2nd : Exploding Earth, Gentle Breeze
3rd : Fireball, Safe Passage
Focus Spells:
Steward of Stone: Earth’s Bile
Tabil sees the blazing inferno coming. The fight or flight instinct kicks in, and he does a surprisingly agile evasive maneuver for a man of his age. He comes out unscathed.
He follows that up with extra fast movement to the cliff face, showing his unharmed form to the demon and his cohorts. "Is that the best you can do, Shoe?"
He does some quick maths, and realises the place is too cluttered to strike the demon directly. He instead aims at the nearest cambion (C).
Krakas and Merlin and Tavos gets burnt from the fireball.
The demon resists being pulled toward Krakas.
Merlin inspires everyone and moves closer.
Tavos brings forth lava from the earth.
The tiefling ignores the lava, but, Umestil is hit by the molten stone. He appears to take no fire damage at all.
Amazingly, Tabil takes no damage even though the fires burn around him.
He taunts Umestil, but shoots and hits Tiefling C
Tabil AC 23 │
➤ Avenger of the Green AC 23/25 │
Umestil │
Umestil's Minions (A=9+9=18 (3d6), B=18+19=37 (6d6), C=6, D=4+7=11 (3d6/2)) │
Tavos AC 22 │
➤ Jarlgrum AC 24/26 │
Krakas AC21 │
Merlin Brokencrown AC 24/26 │
➤ Perla AC 23 │
⠀⠀➤ Shadow AC 22
- Drezen
- Blackwing
- Loumis Fine Fittings
- Horgus Gwerm's Mansion
- Anevia's Home
- Defender's Heart
- Tower of Estrod
- Topaz Solutions
Avenger laughs as the swords can't seem to bite deeply into him. It's like he's become ironwood!
Still, he's not foolish and raises his shield as he strikes out at the most injured minion.
Avenger of the Green raises their shield and bludgeons one of Umestil's minions to death.
Umestil Translocates next to Tavos and Krakas. Umestil then slashing fire damage
Minion A strides to get a flank on Avenger, then . Then,
Now that Avenger of the Green is off guard, the other minions don't need to move.
Minion C , then raises their shield.
Minion D , then raises their shield.
➤ Tabil AC 23 │
➤ Avenger of the Green AC 23/25 │
Umestil │
Umestil's Minions (A=9+9=18+8=26, C=6 (Shield up), D=4+7=11+3=14 (3d6/2)(Shield up)) │
➤ Tavos AC 22 │
➤ Jarlgrum AC 24/26 │
➤ Krakas AC21 │
➤ Merlin Brokencrown AC 24/26 │
➤ Perla AC 23 │
⠀⠀➤ Shadow AC 22
- Drezen
- Blackwing
- Loumis Fine Fittings
- Horgus Gwerm's Mansion
- Anevia's Home
- Defender's Heart
- Tower of Estrod
- Topaz Solutions
Tabil takes aim at Umestil, calculating the trajectory of the arrow to not strike his companions. Runes appear around the wrist of his arrow hand and around one of the plates strapped to his arm. Small bits of material separate from the plate and form five needles around the bow before Tabil takes the shot, and they all fly with the arrow towards Umestil.
Eldritch Shot [three-actions]
Requirements You are wielding a bow or a loaded crossbow;
Effect You Cast a Spell that takes 1 or 2 actions to cast and requires a spell attack roll. The effects of the spell do not occur immediately but are imbued into the bow you're wielding. Make a Strike with that bow. Your spell flies with the ammunition, using your attack roll result to determine the effects of both the Strike and the spell. This counts as two attacks for your multiple attack penalty, but you don't apply the penalty until after you've completed the Eldritch Shot.
You shape three needles out of a piece of metal in your possession and send them flying in a tight group toward one target. Make a spell attack roll against your target's AC. The needles deal 3d4 piercing damage and might cause bleeding. The needles impart any special properties of the metal that forms them; for instance, cold iron needles deal additional damage to creatures with weakness to cold iron. All the needles are made of the same metal, and the metal returns to you after the attack.
Critical Success The target takes double damage and 1 persistent bleed damage.
Success The target takes full damage.Heightened (+1) You send one additional needle, increasing the regular damage by 1d4 and increasing the persistent bleed damage on a critical hit by 1.
Tabil calculates the proper way to send their ensorcelled arrow into Umestil.
Tabil AC 23 │
➤ Avenger of the Green AC 23/25 │
Umestil │
Umestil's Minions (A=9+9=18+8=26, C=6 (Shield up), D=4+7=11+3=14 (3d6/2)(Shield up)) │
➤ Tavos AC 22 │
➤ Jarlgrum AC 24/26 │
➤ Krakas AC21 │
➤ Merlin Brokencrown AC 24/26 │
➤ Perla AC 23 │
⠀⠀➤ Shadow AC 22
- Drezen
- Blackwing
- Loumis Fine Fittings
- Horgus Gwerm's Mansion
- Anevia's Home
- Defender's Heart
- Tower of Estrod
- Topaz Solutions
Tavos steadies as the demon charges past him toward his ally. The gem on his mask glows faintly, the hum of the spirits building in his chest.
He holds his focus and sustains the power. The molten ground churns beneath the two lesser fiends, heat and ash rising as the spirits continue their work.
Turning to Umestil, Tavos raises a hand. The glow from the gem sharpens into a pale, focused light.
"The light remembers the abyss."
He releases the spell, a clean burst of radiance cutting through the haze.
Rend its flesh. Heal the wound. Rend its flesh. Heal the wound. Rend...
* Sustain Earth's Bile (A + D)
**Divine Lance (Umestil)
Perla sends Shadow to help her beleaguered friends, and in the meantime she takes aim with her bow and marks the creature as her target before aiming at it and firing twice with hunted shot.
I think this is everything I can do, but I may be missing something. Let me know if I did. Command, Prey, then Hunted Shot I think is everything.
Feeling a bit ignored, Merlin Raises his Shield, Strides to Flank with Krakas (Wizards rule!) and....
Looking affronted when the demon translocates without casting anything, "I was pulling you to me anyways, you're right where we want you, dumb demon,"
Krakas will take a 5 step back after Merlin's attack, and cast a spell, launching a large rock at the Demon's head.
As Tavos' spirits attack the minions north of him, he strikes at the one to the south.
Tavos maintains the lava below the minions.
Tavos sends a sacred spear at Umestil, but, it does not connect.
Perla sends Shadow up to Umestil.
Perla designates Umestil as their prey, and is able to hit the demon with a single arrow.
Merlin strides next to Umestil, and slices its shoulder completely off. Its sword falls to the ground, and the flames from the sword and on the demon's hooves sputter and go out.
Even blocking with its shield, Avenger of the Green obliterates the minion to the south.
Seeing Umestil destroyed, and all his allies killed, the final minion runs away.
At roughly the same time, your Army defeats the Tiefling troops that were holding the ford.
➤ Tabil AC 23 (68/68 HP)
➤ Avenger of the Green AC 23/25 (77/88 HP)
➤ Tavos AC 22 (48/74 HP)
➤ Jarlgrum AC 24/26 (81/94 HP)
➤ Krakas AC21 (23/62 HP)
➤ Merlin Brokencrown AC 24/26 (77/90 HP)
➤ Perla AC 23 (54/80 HP)
What are you planning to do after the battle?
Aron will scout the surroundings looking for any other foes who have not run away.
Sosiel and Nurah will begin tending to any survivors.
Only a handful of wounded survivors remain of the small contingent that once guarded the area. All of them are imprisoned in a stone building. Currently led by a sergeant named Kamilo Dann (See the slides for her picture), the survivors number a dozen in all. Kamilo puts on a brave face, and her assurance and leadership kept the other survivors from despair, even when some of them were taken away every few hours by Umestil for sacrifice — or worse. The dozen survivors are in no shape to keep the ford protected, but they do know that a greater army lies somewhere to the north in a place called “Keeper’s Canyon".
Kamilo volunteers to lead her survivors back south to Kenabres to report that the ford has fallen — Queen Galfrey will send more troops north to reoccupy it soon enough, allowing you to continue on your northern march.
Before he went to scout the surroundings, Aron suggested that the army should scavenge gear and supplies from the defeated Tieflings.
Some of the Paladins in your army seem averse to scavenging, but, you can make a Diplomacy check to convince them.
You notice Nurah seems like she is trying to get out of sight of the others.
She is acting suspiciously
Tavos takes a slow step forward, his boots sinking slightly into the damp soil near the ford. He lifts a hand, gesturing for the others to draw near.
"Come close. The spirits will mend what the battle took."
The gem on his mask brightens, shifting to a deep green light. It spreads outward as translucent shapes begin to form around him... faint figures moving like wind through tall grass. Wherever their feet touch, the ground softens and life returns. Blades of grass unfurl through wet soil, and pale blossoms open in the cold air, bending toward each wounded crusader. The water itself seems gentler as it moves past their boots.
Rest, wanderers. The soil remembers the weight of the living and forgives the tread of the dead.
For a minute, the circle hums softly, the spirits weaving warmth through the ruin. When the light finally fades, Tavos exhales and lowers his hand. The ivory mask tilts downward as he falls silent, listening inward to the voices that linger before they press him onward.
------
Krakas kicks the body of the demon, then picks up the fallen sword looking it over, eyes flaring with magical sight.
"Did anyone catch that demon's name, worth writing down in case it comes back,"
He looks forlornly at the fallen tiefling army, looking to Perla, "Its a shame our kin have chosen this path, that we couldn't have figured out a way to speak to them,"
Perla looks around at the fallen, both men and women among them, some similar looking to her, others vastly different. What is it that made them different? Was she really a better person than them?
" Are we truly that different? The only one that can answer that is who judges our souls I feel, and even my faith in Desna... will she truly welcome me? Or will I be forced to follow my ancestor? My blood? How do we know they did not believe they were right?" Her question was for Krakas, said a bit quietly but not hidden.
Merlin gathers the Paladins about for an impromptu scavenger hunt for much needed supplies.
Sir Merlin Brokencrown surveys the many preparations being done about camp for the continuation to Keeper's Canyon.. The Fighter looks over maps, supply lists, and troop placements, either nodding his approval or suggesting minor changes.
Secure in the knowledge that their behinds will be reinforced from Kenabres, Merlin begins introducing himself properly to each of the Queen's three Knights: Aron, Sosiel and Nurah.....
After his interviews, the Fighter seems a bit... suspicious at the evasiveness being supplied by Nurah.....
Merlin later gathers the group together to chat about his thoughts on her....
Merlin talks to the grumbling Paladins, and convinces them that there is no loss of honor in taking spoils from a conflict. As long as the spoils lead to an honorable victory rather than personal gain.
Tabil seems in thought after Merlin shares his observations. "Well, we shouldn't assume anything. It could be something as negligible as a bad case of flatulence. Perhaps we should check on the woman."