"Yes," sir Cray agrees with resigned acceptance. "We can at least ensure those we can save are protected before returning to fight the later battles to come."
He turns to look past you at the arched entrance to Steadfast. "If you brought the keystone - now properly imbued - Tomas can place it where it belongs so we can prepare to leave. Tomas -" he calls out to a skeletal man dressed in a mason's smock "Wait until my signal before striking the final blow."
The knight looks back at you to explain "Once the keystone is in place, the town at its immediate area should be cleansed against the rising influence of the dark tower. Those who meet death will be able to find their long rest rather than be forced back to Return. Yet completing the ward may draw the attention of the dead that seek us, and the Ivory Reaper. Are you ready for a fight? Or do you need to rest?"
"It's a sad tale," Sir Cray admits. "Ivory Reapers are a sect of Pharasma's church. They are Her hunters: worshipers and clergy who strike out actively against the foul undead. But there has been report after report of an undead clad in the Lady's garb striking down travelers who move through this region and preying up the still-living. Whoever he was in life his death and dark return have turned him into a threat."
The knight considers Ebren's question carefully. "He seems to command other undead that hunt with him. Skeletons, zombies, even wights and ghouls at some times. Whether he can raise them himself too? That I don't know."
|
Cordelia feels a momentary wave of relief as Crayden relents with less effort than she had feared, "I'm well enough to fight, still." She gives a nod, drawing her blade and procuring a vial of oil from her belt, keeping it ready for the inevitable battle, "I may have failed at my duties when Vigil fell... But I don't intend to repeat those failures today."
"Very well then!" Sir Cray says. He directs the more well-clad defenders to take positions as the rest of the townsfolk around Steadfast gather their things and prepare to move. Taking the keystone from you, Sir Cray hands it to the skeletal mason "Tomas, set this in place. But hold for my signal to strike the final blow!"
While the refugees are readying themselves, you are able to share with them the supplies you brought through the Gravelands. The food, medicine, and clothing within is immediately put to use as the gracious people of Steadfast thank you profusely for your aid!
Eventually, as all are as set as they can be, Sir Cray signals to Tomas perched by the settlement's entry arch. The skeletal man slams his hammer down on the keystone with a final hit to wedge it into place. As it sets a golden light radiates from the magically imbued stone, down the arch, and into the ground causing the earth all throughout the town to glow bright for a moment before the light fades. Sir Cray nods and says "Good. Now let's get moving swiftly. We need to make it back to Caliphas before -"
As if on cue horns sound form the outskirts of the village: warning calls from the town's scouts. At the edges of the mist you see figures moving in the fog: dead armed forces marching towards Steadfast. Sir Cray draws out his weapon and calls to the townsfolk and refugees: "Hold the line! We've trained for this! You are so close to safety: just one last fight before us!"
The refugees and knights - living and undead alike - begin to draw out waht weapons they have to rally against the undead advancing. As Sir Cray works to direct the Steadfast folk, the six of you spy a quintet of figures approaching through the mist from the west. Four skeletal archers are coming around from behind to attack the refugees from behind. And with them: a dead man bearing brass armor with Pharasma's Spiral emblazoned on it.
Rounding Steadfast's central building, the fleshy-undead turns to look at you with a sneer. Pathfinders. he rasps out. The Society can always be counted on to deal with loss by sending more agents in to die. Don't worry: the passage over to new life is calmer than they teach you. And soon enough the rest of you lodge can join us too.
Reaching a dagger-clutching hand out a black beam shoots out from it towards Ebren and strikes the magus
Initiative
Ebren
Cordelia
|
|
Cordelia grits her teeth as the horn sounds, hurriedly upending the vial of glimmering oil over her weapon before strapping on her shield and bracing for the inevitable. She was going to do everything in her power to make sure the residents of steadfast made it out in one piece!
----
As the reaper and its cohorts descends on them she musters as defiant a glare as she can manage, "None of us are dying here!" She declares before raising her shield as she marches forward to form a battle line with Ebren and Tux!
◆◆ Stride x2
◆ Raise Shield
Ebren, Cordelia, and Tux all advance on the talkative undead!
Cordelia moves into position cautiously. Tux comes in swinging, but both his claws glance off of the target's armor. Ebren finds his limbs feeling heavy and weaker as the beam from the caster strikes him . But he strides forwards regardless, and digging deep manages to land a flame-enhanced blow against the enemy.
The Reaper winces as Ebren's mace smashes into him. A good swing. It can be a fond memory before you pass. As he taunts one of his skeletal thralls strides forwards, scimitar drawn. It slashes out at the magus who manages to dodge the swing.
for
While all of this is going on you notice the rest of Steadfast fighting for their lives all around. The living townsfolk are brave, but their weak and tired bodies are clearly exhausted. And yet the skeleton refugees are stepping forward to shield them and hold the line: their state of undeath proving to be an unexpected advantage against the swords and spears.
Initiative
Popcorn
Ahzemm
Baga
|
Ahzeem moves forward and calls out, "Oh Blessed Goddess Sarenrae, please grant my companion your Protection." as he reaches out and gently touches Cordelia on her shoulder.
Source: Player Core pg. 351 Traditions: divine, occult
Cast: two-actions Range: touch; Targets 1 willing creature
Duration: 1 minute
You ward a creature against harm. The target gains a +1 status bonus to Armor Class and saving throws.
Heightened (3rd) You can choose to have the benefits also affect all your allies in a 10-foot emanation around the target.
|
Baga follows the group into the fray and sets up a flanking position with Ebren. The farmer then attempts to cut down the green skeletal figure!
|
Ranged Reprisal: In addition, if the foe that triggered your reaction is within 5 feet of your reach but not in your reach, as part of your reaction you can Step to put the foe in your reach before making a melee Retributive Strike.
|
As Ahzeem channels the Dawnflower's power to rest upon Cordelia the fallen Reaper's head twists to stare at the cleric as he denounces Your God has no place here! Her time is set: this land is beyond the Sun's reach.
Ahzeem feels a dark force slam against the threads of divinity he is hoping to weave. You try to keep them together, but the magic frays in your hands.
But if the cleric finds his spell stymied, Baga and Popcorn go for a more direct approach. Racing forwards the angry leshy smashes the fallen Pharasman with her flail as the Jaidin swings with his scythe. Together they reap the Reaper. He falls with a final sigh
This is nothing. All you've done is let me now tell the Lady her failure in person...
As the Ivory Reaper falls, his skeletal allies march forwards. If they are surprised, upset, or demoralized from his passing their blank skulls make it difficult to say. One Strides past Popcorn to strike at Baga twice with their scimitar, while another moves forwards to attack the distracted leshy.
for
for
for
for
Thatpaladin is no worse for the wear as his armor and reflexes protect him. And as a bony claw threatens to slice Popcorn Baga Reacts to block the blow and strike back at the assailant, cleaving deeply through even resisting bone with a slaying strike back.
The final undead near you then raises up a bow to fire three shots at Baga but all three shafts go wide.
for
for
for
Initiative
Ebren, enfeebled 2
Cordelia
Tux, protected
Tux continues to have a willing spirit but an unlucky body as their swipes miss. But Ebren focuses to re-attune to his magicks and unleashes a burning smashing hit on the skeleton anyway. It crumbles.
Cordelia moves to attack the other undead she can flank with Popcron before raising her shield. The well-aimed hit is a good one, destroying that skeleton as well!
Initiative
Popcorn, raging
Ahzemm
Baga
|
|
Baga runs to the far end of the battlefield and moves behind the remaining skeletal figure. Then the orc paladin swing's his diety's favored weapon wide and attempts to sweep the skeleton's bones out from under it.
"It's harvest time!" the farmer says with a chuckle.
Ranged Reprisal: In addition, if the foe that triggered your reaction is within 5 feet of your reach but not in your reach, as part of your reaction you can Step to put the foe in your reach before making a melee Retributive Strike.
|
The skeleton takes a fall!
Initiative
Popcorn, raging
Ahzemm
|
|
Ahzeem moves to get a better look at the remaining skeleton, the simply says, "Begone." as he points at it. A beam of golden energy streaks forward...
Defense: AC
You unleash a beam of divine energy. Make a ranged spell attack against the target’s AC. On a hit, the target takes 2d4 spirit damage (double damage on a critical hit).
Heightened (+1) The damage increases by 1d4.
Improbably still unalive as Popcorn and Ahzeem's attacks miss, the skelton rises up from the ground. Leaving its bow in the dirt it lashes back at Baga with its claws
for
for
Elsewhere around the village you see the refugees and nights continue to wage their own battles amidst the mist. One the the skeletal refugees jumps in front of a zombie's strike to protect a cowering child. Its bones break and shatter, but with a raging cry the zombie in turn is then cut down by a ragged furious townsfolk. Sir Cray seems to be surrounded by shambling figures but despite many cuts is fighting valiantly to hold them off.
Initiative
Ebren, enfeebled 2
Cordelia
Tux, protected
Popcorn, raging
Ahzemm
Baga
|
|
Baga dodges both strikes and takes the chance to trip the skeleton once more. This time his sweeping motion doesn't seem as effective so he instead drops his Scythe and tries to grab onto the pile of bones! While trying to grab the creature, the paladin releases positive energy through his free hand.
Ranged Reprisal: In addition, if the foe that triggered your reaction is within 5 feet of your reach but not in your reach, as part of your reaction you can Step to put the foe in your reach before making a melee Retributive Strike.
|
|
Cordelia hurries along to join the beatdown of the remaining skeleton, hoping to return it to the grave quickly before more trouble found them. After all, the sooner they mopped up here, the sooner they could help the rest of the defenders in fighting off the forces of death.
◆◆ Stride x2
◆ Strike vs. Red
Baga tries again to trp the remaining skeleton but fails to upend it He does however manages to get a hold of the dead, which then no-sells as he channels vitality into its bones.
With the paladin keeping it in place, Tux and Cordelia approach and strike at the off-guard undead. Together their blows smash into it and cause the enemy to fall apart.
With this squadron defeated you are freed to race about to reinforce the other knights and Steadfast refugees. Some of the skeletons fighting on the villages side you see lie crumbled and destroyed, but through their sacrifices, the knights' training, and - you note with some satisfaction - the resources and weapons you were able to bring to resupply the village - casualties are blessedly light. As the fight wraps up and the last of the dead attackers are destroyed you find Sir Cray tending to the wounds of a villager whose side was pierced with a spear. "Easy now. The stab missed any major organ. With the Inheritor's Grace it will be stiff and sore for just a while." he says to them before looking up at you. "You looked like you were fighting well over there. Good, and our thanks. This battle could have gone far fouler without your aid."
Meanwhile looking over the fallen form of the Ivory Reaper you see that around his neck dangle two items on cords: a broken Pharasman symbol, and a wayfinder. In the pockets of his robes is a folded up parchment that shows a partial maps of enclaves hidden away in the Gravelands. Ominously, most the the marked enclaves have been crossed out in what looks like blood. There is also a bag tied to his belt that upon checking you find to be much deeper than it appears: a bag of holding. The bag's exterior bears a stylized monogram of the initials 'S.D.' and 'C.D'.
"Yes" Sir Cray agrees. "The sooner we can reach Caliphas and properly rest and treat ourselves the better."
The knight commander and his few remaining men direct the townsfolk to finish collecting their things. Together, you can all leave Steadfast to make haste back across the Gravelands and to the safety of Ustalav. Wwith the area's many dangers and thorny trail fresh in the six of your minds you are able to guide the group through swiftly. Night has barely fallen before you make it to the old stone bridge and are able to usher the refugees across into Ustalav.
Once back in Caliphas, Venture-Captain Evni Zongnoss makes sure the Steadfast folk are tended to and given filling meals as she debriefs you. The gnome assures you all "I've already begun reaching out to my contacts around the country. Benefits of managing this place here long enough. We'll get each of these folk new homes and jobs somewhere. Even here with us, if any feel an interest in Society membership. In fact," she asks "If you don't have anything better to do while waiting for your next real 'mission' I could use the help with that. Should be a much less dangerous assignment at the least!"
Meanwhile you notice that Claudiette has eagerly already met with the knight to set Sir Cray's reports on the undead in the area. The Pathfinder - already looking to be recovering nicely - makes sure to then thank you in turn. You brought them back. As many as you could at least. That makes you heroes in my eyes. And the eyes of every soul you got out of there. The ranger looks at the refugees about the lodge, all of their expressions bearing relief and hope finally peeking out from exhausted faces. I'll make sure they stay safe now. And train any new recruits we get. Eventually there will come a time we can stop fleeing and running and strike back. Take back the lands lost and avenge those who fell along the way. Claudiette winces, and not from her injuries. And when that day comes people like you will have paved the way for it!
|
|
"As much as we could indeed." Cordelia hummed, a sound of concern in her voice as she hands over the marked up map the fallen Reaper had on them, "I worry that these were all that's left to bring back, however. Found this on a fallen pathfinder - an Ivory Reaper at that - who attacked us while setting up the stone."
"We also found a few other maps along the way and recovered the cargo of a destroyed merchant wagon, for whatever that might be worth... Plus a few extra wayfinders on the undead faced along the way." She glances to the group as she turns in the wayfinders and lets Ahzeem turn over the map they found in the wagon wreckage, "Between that and the sheer number of 'troops' that seemed to be gathering around the tower, it seems things have gotten worse out there than even I had feared."
She nods to the request for aid in rehoming the refugees, however, "All that said, I'd be glad to help getting people situated and taken care of."
|
|
"Yay... When we get back I'll make a massive banquet for all. Yummy food for everyone,"Popcorn beams at the success of the mission.
While not the worse food imaginable its servicable.
"Oh I will help, I love making meals for friends! Baga says.
-------
During the debriefing Baga's smile lessens somewhat, "I only wish there was more we could've done. Something is going on out there. I'm glad we got the refugees out while we could. But there is still more to be done"
He waits for things to calm down before he asks, "Who is ready to eat?!"