Azira Tal-Shirin's page

Hey all,
I'm still schlepping around this mortal coil, though my SO and I have continued to be plagued with health issues. I really, truly hate to do this but, at this point I think it's long overdue, and probably not at all a surprise... I've had to admit to myself that I really just don't have the time or energy to continue on the forums or with PbP, so--with great sadness--I'm afraid I need to bow out of this game. I really will miss it (and all of you), and I hope you're able to keep it going. Maybe one day, when things calm down, I'll be able to pop in and read the story that continued after my departure. Happy gaming.
GH

Hey all, sorry! Life has remained busy, and my SO had some health issues come up, but I figured that, since I mentioned I'd had some health issues, I should check in and let you know that I'm still on this side of the grass (ie, not '6 feet under'). I'm about to head out of town for work and probably won't be able to post for a week or two. Please bot me as necessary.

Thanks for all the well-wishes! They actually know exactly what's wrong with me, and the treatment is a relatively routine procedure, but the condition is not considered life threatening (despite two trips to the emergency room in the last 3 months) so I have to wait until the specialist is available (I see him next month and, hopefully, they'll schedule it then, but I'm guessing it won't actually happen until the new year).

And, sorry I haven't gotten a real post up yet. Between catching up on work stuff and innumerable phone calls with my insurance company and pharmacist things have been busier than I expected. I think I'm about to make a post (once I catch up on reading), but please feel free to bot me as needed.

Edit: aaaand, my SO has decided that today is the only day in the entire remainder of the universe's existence that the house can be cleaned, and it must be thoroughly cleaned in its entirety. Please bot me (and send a mental health professional for my SO). Wulfric is not a combatant, so he'll 5' step away from the brimorak and use his divine fighting technique. Azira's AC is 32 against demons (thanks to veil of heaven), so one of those would have missed, and I'll try to parry/riposte one of the others (if you don't mind the extra rolls). And she gets an extra +2 to her will save (for the same reason)- if she fails it, I'll trigger the child of the crusades trait to reroll; and if she makes it, I'll use the mythic upgrade of the trait to stagger the demon for 2 rounds. For her actual turn, she'll LoH (4d6+8) as a swift action to offset some of that damage and then full attack the gems.

Hey all, sorry I've been quiet the last week or so... I have a mostly very minor heart condition, but it caused a trip to the hospital and I've been slammed with Dr appointments ever since. Should, hopefully, be able to post something today or tomorrow.

Just popping in to say hello (and try to stay in the rhythm of posting). Hope all is well with everyone- especially Elliot and Thesius.

That is a potent, though poorly written, spell. Unfortunately, I’m not a spellcaster at all (my archetype gives it up), but I might have to look at picking that up on Radiance at some point.

Math, huh? Let's see here...

1d8 longsword
+2 enhancement
+7 Dex
+8 precise strike (not multiplied on crit)
= 1d8+17 base damage

plus
+8 smite
= 1d8+25 normal smite damage

or...
+16 smite for 1st attack
= 1d8+33 1st smite (vs evil outsiders)

the extra "+2+1" I thought was from heroism and flagbearer, although I just looked them up to double check and heroism is just an attack bonus, not a damage bonus. However, since Wulfric is not enslave, he's going to activate inspire courage which will give that +2 back.

So, the first attack would have done 1d8+33+2+1 base damage, and another 1d8+25+2+1 from the crit (because everything but the precision damage is doubled), for a total of 2d8+58+4+2. Rolling an 8 and a 1 on the d8s, that's 73 damage; minus 10 for his special resistance is a total of 63 damage from the first attack. Second attack is correct at 36.

Also, a resistance that completely negates bonus smite damage until we reach 11th level (unless I'm lucky enough to crit) is pretty formidable; I hope we don't run into that too often.

dc16 Ref: 1d20 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 18 + 2 = 29

Azira's face hardens with a mix of rage and disdain. "By the Inheritor," she snarls, her holy symbol glowing slightly, "your cowardly tactics will not avail you!" swift: smite kalavakus

Her typical gracefulness is tinged with a bit of recklessness as she darts towards the purple fiend and slashes at it with Radiance's shining blade. full: charge

smite (charge, hero, flagbearer): 1d20 + 22 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 22 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 47
for (ignoring all DR): 1d8 + 25 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 25 + 2 + 1 = 36

confirm?: 1d20 + 22 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 22 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 39
for another (ignoring all DR): 1d8 + 17 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 17 + 2 + 1 = 21

free: amazing initiative (extra standard: attack); 1 panache to double precise strike
smite (hero, flagbearer): 1d20 + 22 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 22 + 2 + 1 = 35
for (ignoring all DR): 1d8 + 25 + 8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 25 + 8 + 2 + 1 = 44

edit: sorry, just realized I owed you 2 saves...
dc16 Ref: 1d20 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 18 + 2 = 39

re-edit: I think with the extra standard action I'm no longer charging? I didn't add the +2 to that attack, and I believe that resets my AC back to 30 (32 vs evil outsiders).

"I told you," Azira announces loudly as she strides forward, "there is no need to try to lure us closer to your hiding friends- if they haven't surrendered already, we have every intention of opening those doors and killing them too. It would save all of us some time if they'd just come charging out now so we don't have to wait for them after you're dead."

I (and Wulfric) will double move towards them.

He is with us, but he’s hanging back (trying not to attract attention). I wasn’t going to have him start performing for just the gargoyles, but if someone asks him to in game he’ll start right away.

Although no longer changing locations, Azira continues to shift and sway as if dancing to some unheard melody while Radiance continues slashing at the (yellow lined) gargoyle.

Radiance 1 (hero): 1d20 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 19 + 2 = 22
for: 1d8 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 17 + 2 = 21

Radiance 2 (hero): 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 14 + 2 = 36
for: 1d8 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 17 + 2 = 20

confirm? 2: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 14 + 2 = 34
for another: 1d8 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 2 = 15

I didn't charge this time, so AC back up to 30 (32 vs evil outsiders)

if only you could strike at this range, my dear Radiance... perhaps as your strength grows we can find some way to strike from a distance...

Trusting that Elliot will follow Meri, Azira darts with a bit of recklessness to the (yellow-lined) gargoyle Thesius attacked, and slashes at it with the glowing golden blade.

partial charge (heroism): 1d20 + 19 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 19 + 2 + 2 = 26
for: 1d8 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 17 + 2 = 22

The partial charge drops my AC all the way down to 28 (30 vs evil outsiders). Not a great attack roll but hopefully they're still flat-footed.

diplomacy (heroism): 1d20 + 21 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 21 + 2 = 25

"Тебе не нужно съеживаться," Azira calls out as the others gather around her to receive Meri's spell. "Я более чем рад подойти поближе. Тебе достаточно было меня пригласить — в конце концов, мне нечего бояться стаи абиссальных донников."

While the cleric works her magic, Azira invokes Radiance's power to cast a spell on herself as well, then moves forward again.

casting veil of heaven (+2 ac & saves vs evil outsiders) on myself while Meri casts protection from fire, then single moving forward again. I took the liberty of moving Elliot and Thesius' icons up to Meri, I hope that's alright (and Wulfric moved up into range for the spell, if he was invited, and then backed up again after).

alright, he'll stay with the main group then, and just keep in back, trying to maintain a low profile

"I know we're all eager to fight," Azira whispers to her comrades after Verene has left for her observation point, "but this is a large space and we don't know how many enemies could be laying in wait for us, so, if we're all ready, Wulfric will open the door and I'll step through. Wait for just a moment before you follow me, please, and I'll see if I can't draw their attention first."

I think everyone said they're ready, so...
As soon as Wulfric steps up and opens the door (making sure to position himself safely behind it), the graceful paladin walks boldly into the chamber, glowing golden blade at the ready, declaring, "I am sword-knight Azira Tal-Shirin, the choosen of Iomedae, bearer of the sacred sword Radiance. I killed Staunton Vhane, and the wizard who served him, along with a great many of your kin. Those of you with the good sense to flee, do so now. Those who wish to throw themselves at the mercy of my Sarenite friend, you have this one briefest chance to throw down your weapons and prostrate yourselves until the battle ends. Those foolish enough to fight, come and face me!"

Single move into the chamber and I'll take a full-defensive action (for AC 34), just in case there's a volley of arrows waiting for me.

If Wulfric can affect the party with inspire courage from behind the arrow slits then he'll go with Verene; if not, then he'll stay down with the party and do his best to stay out of danger (and would gladly use a charge from the shield wand if offered).

With Radiance in hand, Azira nods as well and prepares to dart through the door as soon as it's opened.

Sorry I haven't posted for a few days- work got busy. Let's kick in some demon teeth.

"Agreed," Azira offers with a nod. "Let's finish clearing out this floor and secure the main entrance, then we can venture down below. After the rest of you are able to recover your magic."

a vision from a succubus... that's a troubling thought... it seems unlikely that one demon could effect us all at the same time... and how would it know about such an obscure chapter of Iomedae's earthly life... this will require some further consideration...

Wulfric and I haven’t really been involved with the redemption stuff yet, but we’re available to help if anyone asks us. Wulfric is currently at +15 to both diplomacy and know[religion], and my knowledge is only +11 but I’m at +21 to diplomacy.

Azira’s always expressive face twists a bit as if she’s thought of something but is skeptical of her own idea. “Well…” she begins tentatively, “Iomedae seemed to be alone… and the moon was high in the sky… probably the middle of the night… and the succubus was singing…”

She hesitates for a moment before (even more tentatively) concluding, “you don’t think, perhaps, this could be the truth behind the old saying that she caught the midnight moon’s singing shadow with her blade, prior to her 9th act, do you?”

While Wulfric’s eyes widen at the prospect, her confidence grows some and she speculates, “if that’s the case, then the information she had on the vampire Basilov may have come from the succubus instead of from scouting. Perhaps the meaning of the vision, then, is that we should take one or both of the succubi we know of alive, in order to get information from them?”

Wulfric is updated and I’m all ready to venture underground whenever everyone else is. Unless we want to wait a few more days to see if Elliot responds at all?

I really hope that Elliot will decide to keep going, but if he doesn't it might be worth having a conversation about whether we should recruit one more... I'd kind of hate to risk the dynamics that we have but I've always thought of myself more as our tank than a damage dealer... I mean, I do decent damage, but less than a 2-handed/power attack pally would do, let alone a barbarian or bloodrager. Meri can dish out some damage when she isn't busy healing/saving someone, but somebody more focused on damage could prove helpful (especially if you're looking forward to beefing up the encounters). Again- if Elliot decides to stop (obviously the best possibility is that he decides he can keep going).

For what its worth that trait is:

Wicked leader but you replace all "evil" in it with "good".

Although I would encourage you to not take too many cohorts, as it can slow down things and even with 20 point buys they will have a hard time surviving, especially if they are frontliners.

Yeah, that's the trait I linked to in my profile, I just called it "righteous leader" on the character sheet to reflect it being the good version. And, leadership only gives you 1 cohort- all of the other followers are much lower level and really only useful for things like maintaining a base of operations or doing background/behind the scenes stuff (not in combat). So, for example, if you wanted to have Korryn (or one of my other friends if/when we find any) tag along on a mission, that'd be cool but they would be a regular npc (since I already have Wulfric as my cohort).

As for the brief summary of combat ability- I think I'm still doing less damage than a standard 2-handed/power attack build, but your assessment seems pretty accurate.

know (nobility): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22

Azira is slow to respond to her friends' discussion as she stands staring at Radiance's gleaming golden blade. She seems completely oblivious to their words until, finally, she asks, "A greater demon... do you know what type?"

Wrestling her eyes away from her sword, she blinks against sudden change in light and the reports, in a more usual manner, "I had a vision too. Only, in it I think I was Iomedae... not as she is now, but as she was before her ascension. We smote a beautiful succubus and forced her to surrender. I feel like, perhaps, the Inheritor has shared one of her memories with me, but I don't know why... maybe we're supposed to take the succubus that escaped alive? Or, maybe this was about the other succubus we've heard rumors of?"

"Wulfric, do you know any stories about Iomedae subduing a succubus?"

do I know any stories about this?
know (religion): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30

Sorry I haven't posted in gameplay yet- I've been distracted with updating Azira (which is all done) and Wulfric (who's mostly done on paper but not in his profile), and with a little side project for Lili (which is about 1/2 done on paper, but only 1/4 done in the link I sent you). I'm headed to bed now, but I'll take a break from the other stuff tomorrow to make sure I post over in gameplay.

Oh, good call on the ears of the city scene, Verene- that was a good one.

@Lili- is using up all my lay hands/channels every day (plus receiving healing from Meri/others) enough to qualify for the lesser planar infusion feat for the positive energy plane? I’m interested in potential taking all 3 feats in that chain so that (at 13th level) we have an option for raising Meri if something happens to her.

I am also hoping for big damn heroes!

Regarding Azira’s bedroom habits- I assumed consent (and power dynamics that allow real consent) was a given for any paladin; I just wanted to make sure that a few one night stands, or a string of short-term relationships wasn’t going to get me in trouble.

Yeah, no complaints on the pally talk. I actually have the oath in my profile so I don’t forget it (and I’ve tried to make sure that it shapes her philosophy and theology). My only question is where you draw the line with ‘base’ actions, particularly regarding sexuality? I’ve tried to write her with a certain capriciousness—as a consequence of her azata blood—and I’ve envisioned a certain freeness/fickleness in her love life as one expression of that. I’m not talking about trying to work her way through all 100 sword-knights or anything like that, but is an openness to love affairs ‘even if they only last a single night’ something that could cause trouble with her oath, in your interpretation/judgement?

Eitr question- is there an official way to handle replacing weapon finesse as a class feature? I've seen it done so many different ways. Also, yay bonus skill points!

As for picking favorite moments, man, that's tricky in a game that's gone on this long. There was a funeral scene that I think I was pretty pleased with. For favorite post read... I think maybe the vision of Iomedae after the wardstone blew up. I don't remember if it was especially well written, but it was, narratively, really impactful (and this is my first experience with WotR, so it was surprising too).

My favorite RPG moment actually happened last year. I had a couple old friends helping me playtest a simplified version of Mage that I put together for a TT game with several noobs. I set the game in San Francisco in 1850, and (much to my delight) the players showed up with a gunslinging gambler from the wild west, a Victorian detective from London, and a Japanese samurai who was pursuing business ventures in the new world because he sensed the age of the samurai was coming to a close. I don't know if I can really do it justice with a brief description but, in a nutshell, they were recruited to find a handful of missing Japanese people who had disappeared from a denim factory in the city. They discovered that the plant manager was also a mage and could use correspondence magic. They found out when and where he was meeting with the owner and set a whole elaborate trap for him there... only to discover, when they sprung it, that the owner (Mr. Levi Strauss) was, in fact, also a mage (matter/prime) and very much in on it (they were draining essence from the missing people to make magically durable jeans). Then, rather than try to duke it out with them, the samurai is like "listen, I don't really care what you're doing, I just care that you're using my people to do it- couldn't you use the Irish instead?" That lead to a whole conversation and instead of a climatic battle the game ended with them negotiating that from then on the Levi Strauss company would drain essence from cattle instead of people, and that they would demonstrate that commitment by marking every pair of jeans with a little piece of leather from the cows that were drained to enchant them (thus explaining why Levi's, still to this day, have that leather tag). None of that conversation was planned or anticipated, but the way it came together organically, and fit so neatly with the actual brand, just worked out so perfectly.

Well, I’m certainly willing to give it a shot! I’ve been choosing a bunch of my feats for flavor instead of to maximize power, so I’m a little concerned that if you start beefing up the baddies I might have to figure out how to keep up, but I’d gladly pick that over just having the game end here.

Yes, thank you Sensen for the adventures we did have! Take care of yourself.

As for the possibility of recruiting another GM… this is the last game I’m in on the forums, so I don’t have any leads on anyone we could ask. I like this party/game, so I’m willing to stick around for a couple weeks to see if we find anyone, but if we don’t I’ll probably pack it up and ride off into the sunset.

I’m in a TT mage game and we’re playing tonight, so that should be fun. We usually play 1-2/month and I missed the last session so I’m looking forward to playing even more than usual.

Yeah, what they said- I’d be glad to do whatever I could to help make it more fun again.

Posting just to keep in practice. Hope everyone had/is having a good weekend.

Sounds good to me.

Before the armor crew arrives
A mischievous grin dances across Azira’s lips as Thesius concludes his heartfelt answer to Wulfric. “Well, for a goddess like Shelyn or Sarenrae, surely we would,” she teases, “but for one as disorderly as Desna we might require a formal request for aid.” She smiles warmly at Thesius before adding, “though we’d have to honor such a request from a friend.”

Now
Azira finishes the prayer she was reciting and then frowns a little. “Sure, fighting first then cleaning, it makes good strategic sense… though I do hope we can get back here soon to finish.” With that she wipes her hands, draws Radiance, and prepares to head in whichever direction Verene indicates.

That’s a funny video. Also, the 17 hour drive has been safely vanquished!

I do have my SO with me, so that’ll help. My longest solo drive was 16 hours (which I did twice in 3 days), but I’ve done 39 hours with 1 other person, and 41 with 3 others. Those last two were like 20-25 years ago though; I don’t think I could do that now.

Yeah, have fun Thesius! I’ll be driving for 17 straight hours starting tomorrow, so my weekend will not be so much fun. (I’m doing that to get home from a vacation though, so it’s mostly worthwhile, lol.)

Sorry- had another burst of busyness at work. Just got a gameplay post up (before the GM messaged me, I think, but my phone is weird about PMs so maybe not). I really like Thesius’ idea about posting everyday in discussion just to get back into the rhythm (I feel like I was also really struggling with that), so I’m going to shamelessly steal it (though, I may skip posting here on days that I post in gameplay).

Azira takes a moment to scan the room for evil auras while the others focus on the armor.

Assuming she doesn’t find any, she and Wulfric tentatively begin heading back towards the chapel to give it a quick but reverent cleaning, like they had the previous bespoiled chapels, while the others remove the armor and help get Meri into it.

Obviously, if she detects evil or something attacks she won’t leave.

Azira's eyes begin to glow as she looks the unconscious woman up and down. (Using detect evil on her, which paladins can do as a move action instead of taking 3 rounds; I'm assuming she is evil but I'd like to know the strength of her aura)

"We can't just bind and gag her and leave her here," she states with just a faint hint of disappointment. "It wouldn't be honorable. Once we bind her she would be our prisoner and we would be duty bound to ensure her safety, which we can't do if she's in here and we're off fighting elsewhere..."

"I truly do respect your commitment to offering redemption to these people, Elliot, but--for now--can we please leave her as she is, a fallen enemy, and then if she's still alive on the way out we can take her prisoner?"

As Wulfric begins one of his rousing tales, Azira frowns at the unknown woman's choice.

she looks dangerous, but a grieving woman charging blindly at strangers she desperately hopes are responsible for her pain is not the type of enemy I'm here for... still... she shows great valor in charging a group of us alone...

"Let us honor her with a quick death," she whispers to Radiance before bringing the blade dancing towards their brave foe.

Radiance1 (hero/ic): 1d20 + 18 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 18 + 2 + 2 = 33
for: 1d8 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 17 + 2 = 27

Radiance2 (hero/ic): 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 13 + 2 + 2 = 22
for: 1d8 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 17 + 2 = 22

Inspiring courage all around! (+2 to hit and damage for everyone, except the enemy, obviously)

I think Verene is right about it depending a lot on the party. Parties with a wizard (who cares at all about tactics) are usually big on scrying, but in groups with a sorcerer instead (or only gish types) scouting spells like scry are often dismissed as a luxury (unless that caster is especially tactically minded).

I typically just keep Radiance's light effect (as a torch) active whenever its in hand (unless someone has made me invisible), so that's 1 light up front. Wulfric can keep a light spell active on himself as well, or on whoever's taking the rear guard (if we have one).

Azira nods at Thesius' warning and positions herself directly in front of the door hiding danger. "I'm ready," she whispers, raising her golden dance-partner, "if someone would be so kind as to open the door?"

*Wealday afternoon (17 Rova)*
Once all of their meetings and discussions have come to an end, Azira and Wulfric spend the remainder of the touring the camp. The sword-knight shares word with the soldiers (sword-knights and rescued prisoners alike) of Staunton Vhane's death, and impending funeral, and the rescue of the Keystone mercenaries, along with a warning to be wary of new faces, and to refrain from any new romantic entanglements, until the succubus is dealt with. While she does so, Wulfric watches the soldiers reactions, looking for any sign of charms or compulsions.

Azira- diplomacy to improve morale (take 10): 10 + 21 = 31
Wulfric- sense motive to detect compulsion (take 10): 10 + 14 = 24
Wulfric automatically detects compulsions (by taking 10), but is 1 short of noticing charms, unless someone knows a way he can get +1 sense motive for an entire afternoon?

After eating dinner with Korryn and hearing about how the scouting patrols are faring, the paladin heads to the infirmary and exhausts the rest of her healing ability before turning in for the night.

*Oathday morning (18 Rova)*
As is their daily practice, Azira and her loyal retainer rise just before dawn, wash and dress themselves, and head for the area where they lead morning prayers. Azira leads the singing of several sacred hymns as the first red light of dawn breaks over the horizon, then kneels with Radiance held before her--her holy symbol draped over its guard--and offers up prayers to the Lady of Valor as the morning light rolls over them. When she finishes, Wulfric steps up to deliver a rousing oration of a passage or two from the Acts of Iomedae, followed by a reading from the book of war prayers.

Upon completing the morning service, the two move quickly to the mess hall where they split a small, round loaf of leftover bread which they hollow out like an edible bowl and fill with the porridge on offer. Unlike most mornings, they do not sit and eat with the others arriving from morning prayer but take their food and eat it as they walk to the command tent for the attempt to contact the queen's party.

When questions begin about plans for later in the day she offers, "I know we have a funeral to perform, Keystones in need of magical liberation, and that spells will be needed for this morning's communication, but I still firmly believe that we need to continue pressing the attack. This is not a normal siege where we can starve them out with time; a prolonged siege works in their favor as we will struggle to replenish our stores and maintain morale while they can easily teleport in supplies and even reinforcements. Right now there's likely to be some confusion, perhaps even strife, as their leadership adjusts to losing Staunton and everyone and thing else we killed or captured yesterday... we should be aggressive while we have this advantage."

Ahhh, thanks Meri!

I'm really sorry for vanishing (again). My SO has been having some health issues. Between doctor's appointments and the impact on my mental health I haven't gotten a post up in any game in a few weeks. Things have improved though and (as long as you'll have me) I should be able to read what I've missed and post something tonight or tomorrow.

"I also assumed we'd go back in tomorrow after attempting to communicate with the queen's camp," Azira agrees. "I--begrudgingly--admit that pressing further with our spell casters' resources depleted is not tactically sound, but we do need to stay as aggressive as we can afford to be. We can't give them any more time than necessary to organize and bolster their defenses, or for that succubus to cause mischief..."

A scowl creeps across the aasimar's face and her hand reflexively moves to Radiance's hilt. "Sh!t... the succubus--the one that we know is bad. We've taken away her play things. She'll surely want revenge, and new play things. We should spread word through the camp immediately for everyone to be on guard against her wiles: wary of any unfamiliar face, looking for confirmation of the identity even of familiar faces, those sorts of things. Perhaps we could have those able to detect magic patrolling the camp, checking for illusions and enchantments? We probably can't set up a giant protection from evil spell over the whole camp for a couple days, right?"

I feel your pain, Sensen. I was GMing a few games here too a while ago and over time had to give up all of them. I still miss a couple of them. You do need to take care of yourself too though.

I like this game a lot. So much so that when I had to drop all my other games I held on to this one. I'll gladly take whatever you have the bandwidth for. If that means slowing the pace, so be it. And, I agree with Thesius on that offer- if there are ways we can help make running the game easier, please let us know!

”If you think that just talking to the Keystones, without using any magic, might bear some fruit,” Azira offers, “I’d be glad to help with that.”

Azira stands quietly throughout the debriefing, her arms crossed over her chest and her eyes fixed on some point in space well beyond the thin walls of the command tent.

A forge that could corrupt even the Sword of Valor? I shudder to think what might have happened to Radiance if she'd been subjected to that... is it possible that the vile glaive could have once been a powerful weapon for good... or that it could be redeemed? And, what of this succubus... how could we possibly trust a seducer and deceiver well enough to believe she truly sought redemption and to serve the powers of good? Meri is right though, Ragathiel did just that, and demonstrated his goodness clearly enough to be accepted among the Empyreal Lords...

Her attention returns to her immediate surroundings at the mention of the queen's advisors being infiltrated. "That is a legitimate concern," the paladin offers gravely, "one I share, in fact... but I think we need to tread very carefully when it comes to discussing such things. The third crusade become an utter failure because it fell into little more than witch hunts... and that overzealous inquisition never truly ended, despite people like my parents working to turn our attention back to the true enemies. Wherever spies have maneuvered themselves into positions of power and influence, we should do what we can to deal with them, but we must take care not to give fuel to the flames of inquisition while we do."