I understand that father Jeskar is to do the ceremony. If there is anything that we can do for you Pakak just let us know.
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Deciding to wait till the morning to allow Irabeth the chance to be with you, camp is made on the far side of the deserted town with Pakak teleporting back to Drezen with the help of some inner fortitude. Returning about 2 hours later he has Irabeth and Anevia with him. I may not have my ancestors with the same last name but if this involves Irabeth's family then it involves me as well.
Indeed as soon as Miri is touched Selena acts as well hoping to prevent any further contact or at least provide Miri with a modicum of protection. casts protection from evil on Miri. She looks at 'Iesha and Aldern' coldly, [b]Last chance, tell us who we are or I will burn the truth out of you. You try and touch her again it will be the last memory you have as you make the journey down the River Styx.
Selena waits for the answer to her question anxiously as she grips her staff in both hands. While she expects herself not to be noticed while disguised clearly Aldern should know Miri and recognize and know her name.
Hearing Miri speak Selena hands her thekeys they found in Aldern's Manor basement. Hopefully this will allay any suspicions of them being here. While your skills may be needed should the keys not work properly I suspect that will not be the case. After all Master Lemhock directed us to arrive here and continue about the business he started. Unless we were mislead witht eh keys then we should be fine. If we are incorrect then we will have to let Master Lemhock know about this right away.
Taking the cabbie was a fine idea for Selena. Even the limited extra visual protection afforded by the structure was a small blessing at this time. It was also nice not having to walk the distance. she was keeping a close look out for any of her father's associates when she overheard the man saying something about murders. Raising an eyebrow she cautiously asked the man. That is disturbing news. Can you tell us where such murders have been happening. I do not want to be caught in the wrong part of town. but if these murders have been going on for a while then surely the authorities must have leads and be close to arresting the perpetrator. Especially if what you say is true about their chest's being carved up. That sounds disgusting, as she purposely gives a small shake at the mention of it. diplomacy to garner more information from him specifically the location of the murders. Once they arrive Selsna takes on the air of one who was familiar with a new owner of the place. Well, I had hoped for better conditions but at least the structure is still standing. I knew there would be some work ahead of us to get this place suitable for Master Lemhock. At least we have the key to the place so we don't have to bust the windows open.. Turning to the cabbie, Thank you for your service and may you someday reach Korvosa. bluff for the part about them belonging here.
Thank you Barek and Seldon I knew you would see reason. As for R our location, what was the name of the place again. I am sure I can bring us there in short time.
Selena looks at you all with what seems like a bit of disdain or contempt. There is nothing the matter with me and I would prefer it if you kept such questions to yourselves. This is nothing more than just a different look that I had a fancy of trying. Now if you will excuse me we have other matters to attend to then my change of hair and complexion. Int check 10 and sense motive dC:11: You remember that Selena is from a merchant family in Magnimar and only by allowing the rumor of her death was she able to join you at all. Clearly she does not want to go back to her old life and if someone should recognize her her father would likely try and force her back into the servitude for the family business. She has tried already to stall from coming here by suggesting they search the Foxglove Manor ofr further clues and returning to Thistletop as well.
A woman emerges from Selena's room the like of which you have not seen before. This woman is quite tan with short black hair. High cheek bones accent the dark eyes as well. Stepping forward she takes on an air of confidnece and simply looks at Seldon without a trace of a smile. The voice though is still the same and you recognize it to be Selena. I would suggest that we follow the clues that we discovered at the manor and proceed accordingly. Now is nothte time for sightseeing at least.
I do not wish to be apart from Irabeth but I am not as good in close defined spaces. My skills lend themselves to staying outside and trying to pick off anyone leaving of entering by other means. One army can hold the entrance but it is the other routes that may be unguarded.
I will leave as soon as Master Zeriax returns. How long do you want us out spying the enemy sir? Do you want a quick scan and report back to allow you another offensive movement still today or give you a more indepth evaulation for an attack tomorrow?
Anevia arrives from her work at helping get the followers into the city and behind the defenses of Paradise Hill. You have need of me sir?
If you want, I could accompany him or scout on my own as well. You have seen that I am quite capable and I feel like I haven't done much for the army lately. That way Zeriax and I could either split up the locations to get back sooner or double up to make sure we don't miss anything. GArith you do not see any armies arrayed out before you in a battle formation. However that is not to say that they do not know you are there. It could be they know and are just waiting behind defenses and don't want to leave them.
There is the thought too that there must be food stores in the city for the non-demonic forces that are located there. If we must that could be our first target once the city is scouted out in detail.
You three are able to report back to the army and relate what you find to them. Anevia adds some details stating that, with such a wide river bed and she tiefling army so spread out it would be better to remain compact and limit our frontage. This should allow us to attack them as we need to and split them apart causing confusion. She grants the battlefield advantage special boon granting +2 to DV and OM. It seems quite strange that we just caught a glimpse of a single dretch in the ruins. Are there others there or is it an outcast or is it spying on the tieflings I do not know.
Zeriax quote:
Anevia gives you a small nod as she lowers her voice. The sounds may carry long distances over the terrain here. But yes I will teach you in repayment of what you have taught me with the bow. Irabeth was my teacher and the finer points she can teach you as well. Anevia motions ahead I will go along with you to scout ahead and see what is in store at the Ford. Zerias I have you using 1 use of your mythic pool for your 70 minute message spell. Zeriax:
As you and Anevia approach the ford you see signs of recent troop movements. this means nothing much to you until you crawl your way up the backside of the hills overlooking the river and Ford. There below, you can see the result of recent fighting as well. Bodies are scattered across an open area close by the ford itself while an army sits camped on the other side of the clearing. From the number paladin carcasses in the field and the lack of other dead you can safely assume that the army is an enemy army that has won a battle within the last 2 days. Since you are on foot you figure you wil be able to make it back to the army with about 15 minutes to spare before they alert the army at the ford. should be enough time prepare the army. Profession soldier DC 15: Looking around you can use the hills to mask you approach to ambush he army. Also the hills would provide some good tactical advantage allowing the knights to charge down onto the army as it comes across the open plain.
As you travel with the forward scout group with Anevia you find ample opportunity to talk and continue on with your lessons while scouting ahead. You find as well that Anevia is an accomplished horsewoman no doubt trained by Irabeth directly. 6 hours into the march you can just spot where the Ford should be off in the far distance. You estimate that the army is 30 minutes behind you and they should reach it just before nightfall. Shall we hurry ahead to scout out the crossing or wait for the army behind us?
Anevia chooses to ride out with the scouts this morning ahead of the army hoping to be an advance warning should they encounter something. She takes 5 paladins with her. She also recommends that there is another detachment of 5 soldiers on all of the other 3 sides as well so the army is surrounded with scouts. Zeriax: Let me know where you want to be or what group you wish to be a part of. Each day you choose to be in a scouting party I will need to know this information.
With your new duties with the army and the fact that you are learning as much as you can about militant matters Zeriax there is not much time to train with Anevia. You only manage to get a single training session in with her due to both of your schedules. During the session you broach the topic of her and Irabeth accompanying you into the Worldwound. She ceases firing her bow down and sits on a log nearby as she contemplates your offer. I have pondered my fate ever since you rescued me from the depths below Kenebras. I know that whatever path I take it must be with Irabeth at my side. I am content to do my part here but my answer will be the same as hers and I know that she will want to accompany you to Drezen.
If what yo usay is true then I must hurry and find Irabeth as she will no doubt have need of me. Until we meet again Zeriax.
Anevia sits as Zeriax instructs and listens intently to his dissertation on being One with everything. She nods here head at some points, about knowing with Irabeth is in the room, or that feeling when you know the arrow is going to hit it true., but other times she seems al title lost. The time passes quickly and before you realize it it is time for her to return to Irabeth to see if Irabeth needs anything still. I will practice what you have taught me and I will tryt o come more often to talk to you and we can discuss these things that you have mentioned. I may not always be available as I still have duties to perform for Kenebras along with trying to get the house squared away in my spare time. Thank you Zeriax until we meet again. Anevia manages to find time every third day to come and practice and learn from you Zeriax.
Anevia smiles and nods to you in a short bow as well. to as trained in such a greeting you can tell she is trying to match your custom. From what Irabeth has told me you are a fine shot and perhaps one of the best that remains in Kenebras. I would be honored to study under you and take some lessons. She takes out her bow and hobbles to a street corner where she points at an overturned cart. See the hub of the wheel. I have learned to shoot quickly and accurately at close range.[/b[ With that she takes 2 arrows and rapid fires them into the wheel hub. [b]My biggest problems that I get nervous when others are in my way or if they are in melee. i worry too much that I am going to hit my companions and thus I do not take the shot and look for other targets even if we should be concentrating our fire on one person...perhaps that is a good place to start my training.
Anevia hustels through the house looking for Irabeth. Not finding her you can hear her ripping apart the bed to get to the floor boards below it. There in a hidden compartment is a note with 5 potions. Anevia reads the note quietly for a moment before tears fall from her eyes. Irabeth is alive and at the Defender's Heart. Please take me there so I may see her. It isn't far. Please, I will give you these potions Irabeth left. The note says they are 3 invisibility potions and 2 potions of moderate curing. I only ask this last favor of you. Please.
With a flurry of kicks, Zeriax manages to connect with one foot causing a slight bruise where the blow lands. It was enough though to get the croc off balance and give Garith the opportunity he needed to sheath Radiance into the gullet of the croc. With a poof of smoke the crocodile disappears leaving the group as the only ones apparently in the house. The bedroom door opens and reveals just a standard bed against the west wall. This room is empty as fr as you can tell. Hearing Garith's suggestion earlier Anevia moves over to the north room opening it revealing a kitchen. be right back with your flour Garith. Hang on till then.
Anevia pipes up after Horgus mentions his home. If we are to proceed with returning Horgus back to his estate then I would like to head to my house as well afterwards to check on my affairs. Please consider this direction instead of heading in deeper to the city. I would much appreciate it although I can not reward you as hansomly as Horgus here. If we need to make a stop at one of the other locations on the way I understand but the Grey Garrison is too far out of the way for me.
I can't imagine how Irabeth is handling everything that is going on. I hope that she is ok. I know she is resourceful enough to survive on her own but it is when she is trying to protect others that she gets in danger. As much as I want to rush to her side, we need to take it slow and scout the way forward.
Anevia speaks up slowly Indeed, if these three locations are safe houses then we must find them and investigate for ourselves what is going on there. Or at the least bring it to Irabeth and the Eagle Watch.
You have aided me even though I have slowed you down. I will continue on with you and lend you what assistance I can. Who knows another well placed arrow may be the difference between victory and defeat. I will go with you on the morrow to help repay my debt to you all. Further, I will fulfill a task that it seems none of you wish to undertake for obvious reasons. Should Chief Sull not wish Millorn here as a prisoner, I will end his life quickly when he sleeps tonight. I assure you, it will be quick and painless. It is not a deed that I want to do, but I know the price of failure all too well and the security risk that he imposes. I have had to hunt and kill from the shadows before. If you ask it I will undertake this task as you have indicated he is both evil and mad. It would be a blessing for him I think to go quietly.
Anevia enters the main part of the building and looks around. A small tear still dangles at the edge of her eye, but it is a remnant from before. Clearly she has mastered whatever it was that overcame her. She nods in Ryu's direction when told that the group was considering spending the night. If that is what is decided, then I will do my share of the watch as well. I can not move much to clean, but I will stand guard for what it is worth. I can not see in the dark but if we have enough torches I will place one at the entrance so if anything comes that way they will have to enter the light. Turning to Oriana, Thank you for the drink. I am afraid that my waterskin was ruined in the fall.
Thank you kind sirs for thinking of my leg and giving me a respite. I will just sit here a bit and recollect myself. The sight of such a holy place as this moved me as it brought forth thoughts of my love. I was unprepared for such an emotional shock and spoke out rashly against Horgus. If you don't mind I will use some the water here at the font to wipe my face and the I will be ready to continue shortly.
Leaping up on he good leg and brandishing the crutch as an improvised weapon, a look of pure fury forms on Anevia's face. How dare you say such a thing. Then again I should not be surprised from a man who hides his faith. A man who is unwilling to profess his true faith is no better than a demon worshiper. It's no wonder you want to flee from a temple such as this.
Heading towards the stone door, it is quite apparent that the doors have not been constructed very well. Although not locked, they are firmly closed. Putting some muscle into the effort you are finally able to open them. Opening the stone door you see a stone bench lines the southern wall of this chamber. At the far side of the room, a basin of water sits atop a stone pedestal. A stone door engraved with an image of a hammer stands to the north. As you all look in, Anevia from the back lets out a grunt of pain. Moving forward you hear her mumble something about her leg hurting. I just need a minute to sit and rest. Just give me some time. Sense motive DC: 15: You can tell that her leg is fine but it is the presence of the shrine that is affecting her. Something in her past has strong ties to such a religious area.
Why thank you. I would appreciate a meal later. I will place it with the rest of my stuff. As for the arrows, may I have them? If so then I may be able to help you better and not be so worried about wasting one of my four.
Nice work there, but it looks like some of you got bit a few times. Next time why don you see if you can all hit the same one so it won't hit you back? Just a suggestion and trying to help where I can. I didn't want to take a shot with everyone in the way. Might have hit one of you instead and I could not let that happen.
I have a very limited number of arrows remaining. I will take a shot if it is presented to me but not if the path is blocked or my target is already engaged with one of you. If none of you are that stealthy then perhaps a united frontal push would be the best option.
GM only:
Yes I shall join you now Maelchar. If master Papal has need of my limited resources he need just ask.
Maelchar you approach the woman to the north and after a few short words the healing energies flow into her. With a muffled scream she collapses to the ground clutching her left leg. What wasn't noticed before was the crushed tibia that must have happened when she fell. The magical healing you provided managed to mostly right the bone fragments in their correct location. Alas she will always have a limp still from the damage. It was amazing that she was even able to stand and endure the pain of such an injury. After the tears subside, she stands and tries to put her weight on the leg. Finding that she is at least able to move around on her own, she smiles and puts an arm around you. Thank you so much. I was afraid to move before I was in so much pain. I am still have some injuries but it is nothing I can not manage.. The bones coming together were just a shock to the system. My name is Anevia Tirabade. I am at your service. Here take these as thanks. My skills and bow are at your disposal until we reach the surface. I was a scout in the crusade and You will find that I have some skill in such areas. She is equipped with a shortbow and 4 arrows, shortsword and leather armor.
Maelchar, the woman seems to have been quite disorientated from the fall and looks up at the sound of your voice. Through the darkness she is unable to see who you are. Mustering up her strength, she shakes her head and a light appears on a stone next to her. I will be ok I think. Just need to gather myself and take stock of the situation. Thanks for your offer but see to your comrades. You can't tell for sure the extent of her injuries. Sense motive DC:14: You can see she is shaken but has a heart of steel. She is more injured than what she leads you to believe. |