I'd like to offer Brother Aglamore. He was in a WotR game that petered out about where yours seems to be right now.
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Given the recent turmoil in my own life, I COMPLETELY understand, GMF. Good luck and thanks for the game. It's far, far better to bow out intentionally than to fade away, so thanks for that, too! That said, I'm really going to miss the chance to confront the bad guys! So long, folks! Scott / Tarondor / Aglamore the Crusader
"Trolls are fearsome opponents, Arwen," cautions Aglamore. "We should try to engage it from range, lest it tear us limb from limb. Flaming arrows, for instance."
Brother Aglamore is silent, as though speech had fled his body. He reads the yellowed note again and again, his hands shaking, whether with fear or rage it is difficult to say. At last he whispers "Minagho..." as if the word itself were painful. "Fate is inexorable," he adds. Then, standing taller, he goes to sharpen his spear and pray to Iomedae. Aglamore is ready.
"So be it! cries the priest. "You have made your choice!". He then rails the half-Orc with his longspear.
"What do you mean, again?" asks Aglamore, who himself had long been a captive of the demonic hordes. "If you be not wholly evil, then lay down your arms and seek quarter and repentance! Else you will languish in the fires of the Pit, for you will surely not survive this day without our forbearance!"
Aglamore uses His Tactics domain ability "Seize the Initiative" to grant Arwen a reroll on his initiative.
Sorry to see you go. I enjoyed Ruarc.
Aglamore gathers everyone for a quick post-battle prayer. "We thank you, oh Just and Mighty Iomedae, for your favor and our lives. Now grant us, we pray, the strength to continue to drive your enemies before us."
Then he moves on to cure Arwen's more serious injuries.
Aglamore attacks the downed demon, driving his longspear toward its fetid flesh, but becoming momentarily entangled, throwing off his aim.
"No mirrors," says Aglamore, "but I do have this." The priest holds up his Iomedaean holy symbol, a carved wooden sword, and draws forth it's twin, a sword of shining golden light, which he hurls at the nearest demon. He then closes with his longspear.
Good luck!
Brother Aglamore rushes into open space and calls upon the holy protections of Iomedae.
Not wishing to appear pedantic on the issue of means versus motivations, Brother Aglamore shakes his head. "No. Your logic is sound and I am convinced of the need to seize the weapons cache first. Let us be about it, then."
"Wait a minute," says Aglamore, "Ruarc, I thought you wanted to go after the townsfolk first?"
"Agreed," says Aglamore, simply. In all of this, Aglamore sees more than the mere mortal facts before them. He sees a great moral test. Demons are born of sin, and the defenders of the Worldwound are quite literally fighting against sin made manifest. Though the temptation is to acquire the weapons first, the moral imperative is to rescue the townsfolk.
"Well, Chaleb," says Aglamore, "Mercy is a virtue, but stupidity isn't, so here's how this is going to go. We're going to bind you with ropes and march you back to our camp. Endanger us or anyone with us along the way and your life is very probably forfeit. Then we're going to bring you before a judge who as far as I can see has no reason to let you live and may be eager to balance the scales of suffering before you die." "So, you have about a quarter hour to convince me and possibly Sir Arwen here to say something on your behalf to the judges. On the other hand, you could just continue to annoy the big fellow over there," he says, indicating Ruarc with a nod of the head. "He eats sins. Did you know that? And you probably look like a holiday feast to him."
"I'm sure you're right," agrees Aglamore. "and if so, death would be a just and fitting sentence. One I would carry out myself if needs be.". "Your name, prisoner!"
"No," says Aglamore with solid certainty. [b]"We will not slay prisoners. We are better than our enemies and we must be ready to prove it. Kenabres does have a government, however much in tatters it might be. We saved three Councillors and brought them out of the bowels of Golarion that they might guide this city. They are the rightly constituted courts, if any there be." "I am no fool, Ruarc. There will be times when circumstances do not permit us to take prisoners, but this is not one of those times. What hope is there in fighting demons if there can be no redemption? I hate what horrid sins these men have committed and my heart yearns for swift justice, as yours does. We must not give in to that temptation, or we are lost before the monstrous evil we face." Turning to face the surrendered foe, Aglamore asks "What is your name, fellow?"
Done with talking, Aglamore sets about to do the goddess's work. He attacks the figure standing to the west of Ruarc.
Aglamore doesn't do sneaky, but he can buy time for those that do. Suddenly growing to immense size, he thunders down at the man in the battered armor. "Coward! You face the wrath of Iomedae this day! You may leave this place only in chains or in death!"
[It's a great idea! But it does take a full round and Aglamore ain't waiting.] With a cry of righteous anger, Aglamore kicks in the door, spear held low at his side.
"You wield the power of creation and destruction, bending the laws of nature at will," replies Aglamore, his voice lowered. "I recall what it is to be a peasant with no power but that of my right arm. In a city overrun by demons, I'd hide, too. These people have no reason to think we're anything but more demons." "As much as driving out the invaders, it is our task to show the people of this city that they have champions on their side. To do good, we must be seen to do good."
Aglamore realizes that those inside are terrified. "In the name of Iomedae, Blessed Warrior, Shield of the Innocent, I say you have nothing to fear," he calls out with a loud voice. "I am Aglamore, servant of the Inheritor, and with me are stout heroes come to take you to a place of safety. You are in no danger from us. Unbar the door and see for yourselves. If you be not friends of the Fallen, you shall suffer no harm. I swear it."
Aglamore presents the sword to Arwen. "It is the Sword of Yaniel, beloved disciple of the Inheritor. Use it well and it will serve you in the darkest hour." Then the priest is ready to go visit the library.
Aglamore takes aside Joao, Pytros and Ruarc. "I think we should offer the Sword to Arwen. He is a paladin of the Inheritor and may do much with it that shall benefit us and our cause."
Ever the servant of his people, Brother Aglamore hangs back, aiding Pytros where necessary, but letting the warrior tell the tale.
Brother Aglamore has seen many things in his long and horror-filled career as a Crusader, many of them demonic lies. But he is also a sure and certain believer in the power of redemption. "For Victory, For the Heart," says the Iomedaean priest. "If you speak truly, then I honor the courage in your veins. But I have seen the boldest crusader go into the darkness and the lies of the Evil One made flesh. If you are what you say, you will forgive us our doubts. Will you give us your name, Crusader, and a sign of your good faith?"
Knowing that Ruarc can handle a single guard, Brother Aglamore moves to the aid of the prisoners. "You are free now," he assures them. "We will take you to a place of safety. Is anyone badly hurt?"
Brother Aglamore backs up and attacks with his longspear. "Demon-worshippers! Disgusting slaves to sin and darkness. Repent or be cast into the darkness with your hideous masters!"
I'm sending a PM.
Aglamore backs up to proper spear-thrusting distance and summons the holy might of Iomedae.
Aglamore casts shield of faith and then moves up to support Ruarc.
Aglamore awaits a signal from Pytros. When he gets the signal, the priest uses uses his supernatural tactical acumen to permit Pytros to go first, casting bull's strength on himself.
Sorry for the lack of posts. #2 baby and mother still in hospital and doing fine, but #1 baby has a viral infection and dad (me) has another, unrelated viral infection that leaves me exhausted. It's been a tough few days. I'll be back soon.
Military or police? Either way, best of luck!
"So we will, Lord Horgus," agrees Aglamore. He is no fan of the man's attitude, but everyone in a city occupied by demons deserves his compassion, and the man may still prove to be a useful leader in the fight to come. Turning to Anevia and Aravashnial, he says "Please, allow us to convey you in safety to the crusaders. From there we can seek word of your homes. Once we know where it is safe, we can make better choices about where to go."
Manor it is!
Aglamore, still fueled by righteous anger holds aloft the precious symbol of Iomedae. He walks straight to the crusaders and directly to the crying woman. "I am Aglamore, servant of the Inheritor. I have faced demons and walked out of the Worldwound and now we have all returned from the depths below this city. We understand exactly." He bends to give the woman his hand, helping her to rise. "Fear not," he tells her, "For you will not be harmed. These good people are only frightened, as you are." Turning to face the crowd, he says "The evils of the Enemy are many, and first among them is the power to divide us, to make us prey upon each other in our fear and our wrath. Take heart, for you do not need the blood of a virgin. You have all that you require within your own breast. Courage and faith will see you to the end, not magic tricks. You have come so far to fight the Enemy. Do not be taken in by his lies now." Aglamore pulls off his breastplate and tunic, kneeling before the scarred woman. "No woman have I lain with, for I have been a captive of the Enemy for long years. My blood is as virginal as any, for whatever that is worth. Here is my breast and I am unresisting. If you truly believe that mere blood has a power you cannot find in the holy embrace of Iomedae, take it from me. Plunge in your sword if you must, but leave this woman alone."
"For shame!" cries Aglamore loudly, real fury aroused in him for the first time since the fall of the Dragon. "How could you ever think that the sacrifice of innocents was in the cause of good? Your swords are here to protect innocent blood, not bathe in it! The very superstition you think of was the lying tale of the demons, meant to lead you into grievous sin!" "Seek the forgiveness of Iomedae, lest you fall prey to a fate far worse than death in these lands. And seek not the blood of any who are not in league with evil, for your immortal souls are at risk thereby!"
Recruit, but if that doesn't work out, cohort.
Aglamore falls in with the others, trying to stay between the VIP's and any danger.
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