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When the group walks through the door, Arael flashes that smile of his when he sees that you all are safe. Welcome Heroes! he says as others force drinks and plates of hot food into your hands. It is then that you notice that Arael is not alone and you know what that means. He turns to the newcomer, Acheh, these are the heroes I was telling you about. You want to help those that have been preying on innocents, well they have been doing a great job of it!
Arael opens a drawer and looks through several wands until he finds the right one. Aha! He shouts. He quickly places it on his belt and follows Sherix. You think you can sneak past them again? He asks I think I can manage the guard. As he approaches the lieutenant and two guards move to intercept him. Who are you? Never matter! Turn right around! We have too many tourists as it is! Arael smiles his perfect smile. My dear Lieutenant, our mutual friend sent me to take care of those tourists that you mention. Once I am through with them, our mutual friend would be quite pleased, don't you think?
Arael pauses hoping the charm would be enough. The Lieutenant thinks for a moment. Yes Cora...er..our mutual friend will be quite pleased indeed. Make sure there is no mess I or my men will have to clean up! Arael smiles again. Absolutely my dear Lieutenant! He will then meet up with Sherix and the others. I only have five charges on this wand. He will then tap Richard and Krayn with the wand removing their blindness. Do you need me to stick around or even accompany you all or should I head back to the hideout?
Arael brought the tray of drinks over to the table of new recruits. He was always surprised how many there were in Westcrown that wanted to make a difference. He looked outside at the setting sun and a look of worry appeared on his face. He had not heard from Tal, Richard, Edric and Mera all day. He had heard the explosion and assumed that they went to investigate. At least that is what he had hoped. He was always worried that some evil befell them. He quickly pushed those thoughts out of his mind. They were all capable individuals and together they were damn near unstoppable. He placed the tray down on the table and smiling at the 'newbies' he asks, I know why I recruited you, but tell the others why you want to save Westcrown?
Sometime during the next two weeks, Arael will gather you all together. I was trying to discreetly sell your 'invisibility stone' and I was contacted by a member of the Red Mantis. Knowledge (Local) DC 20:
The Red Mantis are one of the most feared organizations in all of Golarion. This order of professional assassins can be distinguished by their trademark bright red and black, light armor, serrated blades (such as the sawtooth sabre), and frightful mantis masks which grant them both an enhanced sense of sight and a terrifying visage. The red dye is a reference to the colour of their god's carapace. For payment of the stone, they are willing to pay in raise dead scrolls provided and performed by a cleric of Asmodeus. Enogh to raise everyone killed in the encounter with the vampires. Knowledge (Religion) DC20:
Asmodeus is the most powerful of the nine archdevils that inhabit Hell, and the only one of Hell's rulers to claim full divinity. It was he who is credited with the penning the contract of creation, within which his followers believe is hidden the means for their patron's eventual rise to supremacy. Apparently, the Red Mantis want the stone to practice their vile craft. I was going to tell them no, as a servent of The Inheritor I find them and that cleric of Asmodeus distasteful! At this Arael's face twists into one of disgust. But then I realized, it was not my call. If you want to proceed, I will give you the name of the Red Mantis who reached out. All I can say is watch your backs. Literally!
The next morning after Edric has restored your sight and broken your domination, Arael calls you all to the hideout. I am glad to see you are all well. This is the second time that you have been forced to flee Delvehaven...uh...well I guess this time was more of a parade - a public parade instead of running for your lives. He thinks for a moment. I think you are going to need some help. Since poor Stryx wants nothing more to do with the place, perhaps another skilled in the arcane arts. He then scans the hideout. Ah yes! There he is! Kioshi! Over here please! As Kioshi walks over, Arael will say, Kioshi is a recent recruit to the cause. He has been shadowing Naberius' As he says the name, he glances in Mera's direction cell, and Naberius has had nothing but good things to say. As Kioshi arrives. Kioshi, I would like you to join this group. They are my most experienced cell and they are trying to rid an old Pathfinder lodge called, Delvehaven of years of corruption. Please introduce yourself!
Arael will follow you out of city limits and convince you that you have traveled 'far enough' away. He will then help you hide the Morrowfall and lead you back into town more discreetly then you exited it. He will send a trusted member to retrieve the Morrowfall and another to retrieve Lily. He then asks Edric if he can cast remove blindness and he will ask Richard if he can dispel the domination on Tal and Mera, as he thinks the Morrowfall would come in handy, but wonders if the dominate would prevent Tal and Mera from bringing it back to Delvehaven.
Arael, in the guise of Stafum, will keep following until the party decides they have traveled far away with the item.
Friends! It looks like some travesty has befallen you, I am familiar with the healing arts, perhaps I can humbly help you? My name is..er..Stafum.
The next morning Arael has a hearty breakfast waiting for you all. Once assembled he says, Unfortunately I do not have any spells to counteract a vampire's drain, but there is a priest who is sympathetic to our cause. Sympathetic but not a believer. He has a scroll he would cast at 75% of the normal price. That, sadly, is the best I can do. do you have anything else you need before going back to Delvehaven?
Arael feels lost in the conversation as Tal and Edric make references to Mera 'not being herself'. He understands Tal wanting to get to Lily and offers the man thanks as he walks out the door. He is equally surprised when Edric and Mera suddenly leave the room. Their thoughts on..'other matters'. He offers them a good night but he doubts they heard him. He shrugs at Richard as the other members of the cell also head out to parts unknown and those that stay at the hideout begin their evening rituals. In short order food is brought to him and Richard along with some wine. He motions to a table near the fire and says to Richard, Now tell me what have you encountered so far?
Battered and Bruised (mostly from Mera) you head back to the hideout. Arael greets you at the door. By The Inheritor! You all look bad! Was it the dinosaur skeleton again! I was getting worried!
You grace us with your presence here sir. To what do I owe such an honor? Of course you are welcome here any time. Uhh...You invited me! Arael stammers as what happened fully dawns on the elf. He silently berates himself for not seeing through Mera's ruse, but he can't stay angry with any of them especially with their return to Delvehaven imminent. I apologize as it is now clear where my invitation came from. He arches an eyebrow at Mera. After Mera gives her toast, Arael clears his throat. I would like to say something to you all. There are many in this city who dislike the ever presence of evil that envelops it in its terrible grasp. Most are content to live their lives and suffer in silence. Few have the courage to, not only believe there is a better way, but actually try to change it. They risk their lives for the betterment of others. Many of these brave souls-dare I say heroes? Are in this room now. I am honored and humbled to drink and break bread with you all! He then raises his glass. To a better Westcrown! As he sips his wine, some could almost see the tear traveling down his cheek.
Arael prefers to work without notice and is disturbed when Richard and Mera begin an impromptu performance. As they sing their songs however he notices that everyone in the crowd has all of their attention on them and not on Stryx, Edric or himself! He then realizes that his toe has begun tapping to the rhythm of the singing and he is swaying a little bit. When the performance ends he follows discreetly blending in with many other Mera and Richard admires. As they enter the Mainz residence Arael hesitates. He has known Tal and Lily for sometime, but never socially. The elf is actually at a loss for words. Uh..Good Evening Tal, Miss Lily. Thank you for inviting me..er..us. As Mera hands the wine as a token of thanks, he silently berates himself for not bringing anything. His Mum and sisters would be mortified. Elves are supposed to be ideal guests after all!
Arael joins the 'parade' still wondering if him being here is a good idea. Tal and Lily had never invited him before so it does seem strange to get an invite now. If nothing else it will serve as a great bonding experience for Stryx and Edric with the other members of the team. Since Stryx had shared an almost certain death with them he surely should be bonded now. Hopefully Edric doesn't face a similar baptism of fire!
Arael is taken aback when Mera says he is invited to Tal's gala. He had never been invited to socialize with any of the rebels he had been fostering before. He is about to make an excuse on why he can't go, when he thinks better of it. Why not? I ask these people to risk their lives daily for the Cause, why shouldn't I break bread with them? Are you sure it is all right with Tal and Lily? I don't want to impose, but I haven't supped yet either... I'm not evil, I have Thrune in my blood!
When Mera shoots Arael a look, he shrugs as if to say, 'I have no idea of what you are speaking of!' He then says, And what about Stryx? Is he on his way to become an Iophanite? He says with a laugh. Lady Fandric can be...uh...overzealous in converting!
Arael looks distressed that his favorite adventurers were so defeated so easily. What do you need me to do? Do you need me to accompany you?
Oh! We kept it! We put it back in the crux, but seeing as it has been in Delvehaven, we thought it might come in useful even though it is one of the foul mouthed creatures I have ever heard. Arael says with a shake of his head.
Arael is watching the back and forth. When he puts these teams together, he never sure how it will work out. He almost does not here Tal ask him a question. Sure! I know just the person. Just leave your armor with me and I will see that it gets done.
He then rummages through a drawer. Ah! Found it! He then produces a thin wand. I had this from my adventuring days. He goes to tap Richard. Lesser restoration?
As you return to the hideout, you see Arael sharing a late night/early morning meal with a stranger. He looks up and says, [b]Ah! You are back. I would like you to meet someone one. I believe they will be a great help to you in your next task of Delvehaven.[/ooc]
Perhaps Mera can help. I do have a quiet room if and when you are ready.
Well, I can't say I'll shed any tears for those assassins! What do you need to contact Coriana?
You must have important news for you to risk the shadow beasts!
Arael stood by and listened to the debate. It always amazed him when new recruits met. Here are folks from many different backgrounds, ideas, and goals. They worshiped different gods. He looks at Girolamo. Well most of them! The one thing they did have in common was, for whatever their reasons, they wanted to make Westcrown a better place. Yes! This group will be most effective. He thinks to himself. Noticing a sleeping Tal, Arael has pity on him. What have you seen this night my friend! Arael dispatches Ermolos, busy cleaning Tal's armor, to fetch Lily. He'll like that! The cleric muses. He also sees that Monday, Tuesday, Mera and Naberius are will fed and sent to their quarters for some rest before they meet their groups. He is jarred from his musings when Lorelei asks what's in the bag. Indeed! Let us let Master Tal rest for an hour then reconvene in that room over their in an hour. In the meantime, please partake of breakfast. We are still waiting on someone to shed light on what's in the bag and another of your group.
Anyone seen Ermolos recently? I was hoping he would be here to help me clean my armor. If he is not here then I assume that he is ok and at the smithy? I believe he is at the smithy now but he should be soon. He was quite worried about you. Tal (and anyone who eavesdrops):
I didn't think having a mummy around this place was a good idea. It lead to some arguing and, well, lets just say I think the group needs some space for the moment. Perhaps each of us do something with the others to help the cause instead of being together all the time. It might be for the best. I hear tell that the Hellknights are looking into the death of Mera's significant other. Now that you are all the 'founders' of this movement, perhaps we should have you lead your own groups. Perhaps you can lead Miss Lorelei and Mr. Holysmith and that man over there, Mr. Savonarlo. There is also someone else that will be joining soon. I will divide the others among Monday, Tuesday, Mera and Naberius. Not to say you all can't work together again someday. Do you feel up to the task? "Pretty words, Arael. But, if I wanted to blindly follow a politician I wouldn't be here." Arael smiles and gives a salute. We believe in action here and I hope soon you shall see for yourself that we do more than any words I can say.
"It's nice to finally meet you. My sister, Yakopulio's told me exactly nothing about you which is as infuriating as it is tantalizing. I love a good mystery--or, more precisely, cracking one open and exposing it's dirty secrets. Not that I'd do that to this, of course. This is magnificent." Arael chuckles. That is great news. If people knew who we were exactly, then I fear the Hellkights would know two. Better they know of our deeds instead of us personally. I will say that Yakopulio has told us quite a lot about you! I'm Lorelei Truth-speaker. You may have heard of me. I'm the only uncensored news-source in Westcrown, which means those in power want me out of the picture as quickly as possible. We've got that in common, I imagine. Still, it's worth it." I have heard of you and that is why we decided to recruit you! We need someone to tell our story and we feel that the mainstream news is too controlled for that to happen. "So what's the deal, here? This place is your base? What exactly are your aims, Arael? What's your methods? What is the purpose of all of this?" she holds her arms out wide and spins around slowly taking the place in. A sly smile spreads on Arael's face. We are here to make Westcrown a better place and bring justice and freedom to the masses. Arael says in the most vague, political way possible and totally ignoring her other questions. I am sure you will be able to see what we do first hand. "And how are you going to ensure my sister doesn't get killed by helping you?" It is my goal that no one is killed. Arael says looking out the window with a worried expression as the first rays of dawn break. "We Holysmiths have been infamous ever since one of my uncles was outed for devil worship. The rest of us are on the up-and-up, and I'm glad you have verified this. Still, we owe you, and that's why I'm here." That is why we have asked you here as well. You and Miss Truth-Speaker will be fine additions to the cause. He is about to say more when the door opens and Tal and the others enter.
Along with Tal and the others come a most foul odor and Tal's usually nicely polished armor is water-stained. Good! You are all here. Was there any problems leaving the Lord-Mayor's house and do you have it? Arael says addressing the warrior.
Arael paced back and forth in the hideout. The Mayor's parties were legendary and legendarily long and he knows he shouldn't be concerned that it was taking the group so long to return. But he worried anyway. He glances about the room and sees some new faces. Janiven has been busy! he thinks to himself. He then passes by the two tieflings that Monday recruited and shakes his head. So has Monday!, Iomedea be praised! He heads over to where some of the new recruits are gathered looking like they are not sure of what they should be doing. Greetings, I'm Arael. Leader of this band. Welcome and please tell me your names. |
