"Aravashnial"'s page

As the librarians set about tending to Klarah's parents, Aravashnial comes over to speak with Max.

"We started taking an inventory of what texts survived in here, and we came across this." he says as he hands Max a small, half burnt, leather bound book. "It was someone's traveling spellbook, apparently. I don't know how it would have managed to end up here, but if I had to guess it was probably someone who was studying before the attack broke out. I can't verify it for myself, but Fenna told me it looked like it had some spells that would be of use to just about any crusader."

"So, now that Klarah and her family are safe, and I've found where I am needed most at this point in time, where will you all be heading next?"

"Anyone who could read the languages that they're written in could read through our records, though they might not understand all of the different references and they aren't normally shared with outsiders. But it's hard to say which of the records that were kept here actually survived the library's destruction. Once we know what survived, and which ones I'll need to request new copies of, it's just going to be a matter of searching through years of records and trying to find a couple specific names. Obviously, I can't really do any of that in my current state."

"We Riftwardens concern ourselves more with the boundaries and interactions between the planes themselves, not their denizens. The way the Worldwound pierces the barrier between the material plane and the Abyss is what draws so much interest from our order, not the ongoing war. Questions about possession would be better answered by the church of Iomedae. The priests in the crusades have become quite knowledgeable in such matters out of necessity, as I'm sure you could have guessed. If the cathedral still stood, any Riftwarden here would have directed you there instead."

Aravashnial shakes his head at Kel's assertion that all of the Riftwardens are gone.

"No, we're not all gone. There are numerous others elsewhere throughout the world, and many more throughout the various strongholds here at the Worldwound. This library was just our base of operations here in Kenabres, and it would seem that I'm the last Riftwarden left alive within the city gates. I wouldn't be surprised if more are on their way alongside any other reinforcements that may be heading here."

"However, since I'm the last one here currently, I should probably stay here like Max has suggested, if only to help in the inventory of what books remain. When you leave, I'll make sure that the doors remain secured that so we don't have any further incidents. Perhaps it would be a good idea to establish some sort of code phrase for when you return with the girl and her family?"

Aravashnial sighs, knowing that Fenna was referencing him.

"When my sight is restored I can try to go through our records, or at least what's left of them, to find out anything that may be written about your parents. I can't guarantee that I'll find anything though, especially not in a timely fashion. Our records have a history of being both extensive and incomplete. They may chronicle one Riftwarden's research and activities to the minutia, but another's may be nothing more than a note scrawled into the margins. It all depends on who was taking the record and what was being done at the time."

"Like you said, my body couldn't keep up with my mouth. I was too slow to move and took a lashing from the Storm King himself. But what price I paid in losing my eyes has been made far worse by the loss of numerous friends, associates, and this library. Though I suppose a blind man has no need for books, he has even greater need of friends. And unlike most books, friends are irreplaceable. So I'm truly glad that at least some of mine have survived."

Aravashnial makes his way into the library slowly, being careful to feel his way forward with each step.

"You know me all too well... I'm glad you're safe. Tell me, were all of my brethren killed or did any manage to escape? And do you have any world of Quednys? We were near each other when the fighting broke out, but were separated quickly after."

Aravashnial stumbles through the door, obviously still sick at learning of the destruction of the library. As he enters he says, "I should have known you'd survive this, Fenna. You always were the stubborn one. And too quick to judge the actions of others, too."

Aravashnial continues to sit in the rubble, despondent.

Aravashnial falls to his knees.

"If someone is in there, harming the librarians, then the Riftwardens must be gone... They would never allow this..."

Hearing the shouting, Aravashnial whispers, "What's going on?"

On hearing that the library is likely damaged, Aravashnial grows visibly anxious.

"We have to get going! We've got to make sure no one's injured! We've got to save the books! It's one of the finest repositories of demon hunting knowledge in all of Mendev, we can't let it be lost!"

Aravashnial continues off of Kel's statement.

"Yes, the pogroms after the fall of Drezen were intense, there's no denying that. The loss of Drezen struck a hard blow to morale, and bred a lost of distrust. Those who were different, or possibly carried the taint of demon blood made, for easy targets in an attempt to satisfy the lust for revenge."

Aravashnial nods and lowers his head.

"There are so many similarities that it's indeed frightening. At Drezen, they had the Sword of Valor to protect them and keep the demons at bay. Here, we had the wardstone. In both we took them for granted and became complacent in their power. And now we pay the price for our hubris."

Aravashnial opens his mouth and acts like he's going to say something in response to being called a slow blind guy, but he quickly shuts his mouth and simply mutters, "She's right."

"Yes, I said Riftwardens. I'm not sure what information my colleagues would be willing to share, but they would nevertheless be helpful toward the cause of securing the city."

"Like Anevia, I have people that I need to check in on. I need to get to Blackwing. It's where my fellow Riftwardens have set up, and I have a feeling we'll need their help."

"Indeed. It's like standing in a cesspit. I could barely keep my stomach in check."

Aravashnial makes his way up to the barricade and stops as he hears the majority of the party in the same area.

"Is everyone all right?"

Aravashnial turns his head back down the hallway as he hears the combat continuing.

"I think there are even more enemies now! We have to help!" he exclaims as he shambles his way back toward the chaos.

Aravashnial stays put as well.

"Did someone say that was a demon? That can't be good at all. Especially not after our last run-in with them turned out the way it did..."

"I said you're right... I made accusations. They were wrong. And I am sorry. Maybe I did deserve to die when I was struck in the battle, but I didn't. Something saved me. So I've simply decided to put what I can into making things right for everyone again. If I get my eyesight back, I'll be working doubly as hard as I was before to try and close the Worldwound, or to at least keep it at bay. It's all I can do. Until then, I just have to survive. There has to be a reason I was struck down but not killed, and I'm not going to waste my second chance."

Aravashnial keeps his head low, and in a hushed voice he murmurs, "You're right..."

Aravashnial simply hangs his head under Horgus's barrage and sits on the floor, silent.

"I had my sources! I did my own research! I didn't know it would come to this! I've paid you restitution. I've lost my eyes. I've been rendered all but useless. What more do you want from me?"

"My guess on why they chose Kenabres is that they've done something similar before. The Storm King cracked our wardstone during a surprise attack some time ago, not unlike the one we most recently suffered. I'd guess that they thought, seemingly correctly if recent events are anything to go by, that if they've done it once they can do it again."

"I can't believe the Tower of Estrod is a haven of them either, though I do suppose it helps explain Estrod's unusual death. I've spent so many hours there, pouring over the texts. So much information, so many reports... If they've got access to all those records, then they would know everything about every crusader organization based out of Kenabres, and many more elsewhere!"

"Like I said, it's a devil. And I really don't like summoning them. It makes me feel unclean. I really don't understand how people from Cheliax can do it so easily."

"It was a lemure. And yes. It was the least powerful creature I could summon that I would be able to communicate with."

"The lemure should be gone by now. I'm not powerful enough to keep them here for very long."

"There! I've summoned a devil just so I could talk to it! Are you happy now?"

"Fine! But you're probably not going to like it, and I don't want to hear about it later!"

"Normally my eyes aren't burned out of their sockets! Or have you forgotten that we wizards need to read books to prepare ourselves? Once I cast a spell now, I've no way to cast it again!"

"It's not quite that simple. Unless I'm able to actually speak with the creature I summon, it's simply going to attack the nearest threat. And unless you want me to use my single strongest spell until my eyesight is restored, my options are rather limited."

Aravashnial stumbles forward slowly, saying "I just need to find my way forward. I'll be there to help as soon as I can!"

"Again with the explosions. Do you need my help this time?"

"If they're taking something to Drezen, it must be important. If our most recent opponents were supposed to be escorting someone there, then I would have to guess that whoever they were to escort is still around down here. We must find this Hosilla and see if we can stop the cultists."

Aravashnial makes his way up to the door.

"It may be a warzone, but consider what your wife would do if she were in this position. Would she not offer the chance of redemption to those who have erred? Despite who they may have aligned themselves with, these aren't actual demons we face; They're men and women. People can, and do, make mistakes. We aren't infallible."

Aravashnial senses that he's been abandoned at the back and pushes his way past Horgus.

Aravashnial stands pressing himself against a corner, likely to stay out of the Chief's way.

"I'm sure that it's impressive, really. But could you please stop swinging it? I've head you hit something more than a few times now, and I'd prefer to leave here intact." he says, with concern in his voice.

Aravashnial hears the sadness in Sull's voice, followed by the sobbing, and says,

"It's always a shame when something like this comes about. We built up a bit of a rapport last night, so I'll see what I can do to comfort him. If he doesn't want my help, I'll return to the home we stayed in last night. Either way, fetch me when we're to head for the surface again."

He then enters into Sull's home and you can hear him offering words of condolence.

"Well, I suppose I owe you all my apologies. I wasn't exactly lying when I said I needed to relieve myself, but I did come here right after. Not only did I want to learn more about the people here, but I thought that maybe I could help the Chief in making his decision. One topic led to another, and before long he broke out the wine. And you've seen what happened after that. Though we probably should be leaving now, let the Chief get some more rest before his announcement."

Aravashnial takes his drink and swallows most of it down rather quickly. When he finishes it, he answers Max's question.

"It's simple. I counted my steps on the way out of here last night, and reversed them when I came back. As for no one seeing me, I assume it's because no one bothered to notice me. Of course, my cloak may have helped with that, but from what Chief Sull has told me the people here tend to follow a normal daily routine and most were probably asleep. I actually woke him when I got here, but I just had to talk with him."

Aravashnial slowly blinks himself awake. Having been somewhat rudely awakened he sleepily asks, "What's going on?" as he stretches.

He goes to rub his eyes, but as soon as he touches them he winces in pain.
"Oh. Right. Ow..."

And to think, you almost got me.

"No, no, I'll be quite alright. I may be blind, but I think I've gotten an understanding on how to move with it."

With that, Aravashnial leaves the house and disappears into the town.

Aravashnial stops in his tracks, careful to remain hidden. In low, hushed tones he answers Deia's question.

"It is, and I'm going to relieve myself. Nothing to worry about. Go back to sleep."
Bluff: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Just try and beat THAT!

In the night, Aravashnial leaves his bed and makes his way out of the home with surprising grace, careful not to wake anyone.

"It's an old Elvish recipe. I've made it on more than a few occasions myself. This makes me wonder how long you people have been down here. I'd actually like to speak with you in depth about that sometime."

Aravashnial remains standing, not knowing where to go. As Sull brings the drinks into the room, he begins to sniff the air. When Sull comes over to him, he says.

"That smell is familiar... An herbal tea made with various roots and meant to help relaxation, isn't it?"

He then carefully feels around for the tray, takes a cup, and immediately takes a drink.

"Yes, I believe it is. Though something is missing. I can't quite say what, though."