"It appears whomever was here has already left, leaving a surprise for us. We should pull whatever evidence we can from here and take it to the Defenders Hearth before we continue to the next location.
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"Aye. Sore, but I can move. We should finish here quickly though, I do not like the thought of another surprise from these traitors."
With a moan, the paladin slowly sits up holding a hand to his head. "Please tell me it's gone. My head is ringing something fierce, and I'm not sure I can focus my eyes right now. Is everyone else OK?" Mordan will hold his holy symbol to his forehead, murmuring a soft prayer to Iomedae.
Blood seems to seep out of the elder paladin's ear, his breath coming in burbling echoes.
Mordan collapses in the creatures grasp, his Morningstar falling from his now limp hand with a clatter.
Stats: Currently at -8 including the Con damage.
Mordan continues to hold his breath, shaking his head to remove the cobwebs before bringing his Morningstar down again.
Distracted by Oliver's retching, Mordan's swing goes wide.
Grunting in pain, Mordan attempts to shake off whatever poison the creature is full of, before sliding over to flank with Valtyra.
Mordan coughs the fumes out, but steels himself and steps up bringing the magic Morningstar down on the shambling creature.
Mordan will wait for the more observant folk to search the room. He'll remain vigilant incase demons show up. Or summoned monsters.
"I would guess so. I'll leave it to the more learned of us to identify, but it does seem to hint at a more nefarious intent. Haroon, does any of this look recognizable? Valtyra, have you studied much of the lore? Sadly, my time was focused on combat medicine and I never applied myself to demonic studies in my elder years. Knowing what cult would use this symbol may help us. Also, we should proceed with extreme caution. I doubt this place has been abandoned for long, and there very well may be some traps left behind for those who come a-looking."
Mordan sighs, then pulls out his holy symbol to Iomedae. He closes his eyes for a brief second, his eyes glowing white when the opens them back up. He briefly looks over the room, hoping to rationalize letting the men go.
Detect as evil:
Mordan calls out strongly "Nay, you will be lowering your weapons. I have a duty to this city, and the remaining law left here. There are questions for you, and answers that need be obtained. Yield, or yield battered and bloodied. Either way, you will be coming with us." Detect as not evil: "Very well. If you truly wish safety, and merely squatted in the wrong place, head for the Defender's Hearth. Irabeth will need any strong arms to help restore this city, and she will be happy to listen and judge any complaints regarding our 'rough' treatment." Mordan will move to the side, allowing the thugs room to leave. He does keep a close eye on them, but without strong evidence damning this men he lets them leave.
"There are accusations of demonic infiltration associated with this building. If you have randomly chosen to shelter here, you have chosen poorly. As the city stands, there is no room for blind trust amidst demonic treachery. Therefore, should you be found innocent you will be free to rejoin this position, or stay in the better defended position at the Defender's Hearth. Should you choose to resist, then we shall be forced to take severe action. If we are wrong, and you are innocent or misled, the Gods will take our punishment in hand. Throw down your weapons, stand down, and we will finish our investigation. Should no demonic presence remain here, then you are free to launch a formal complaint to the remaining crusaders at the Hearth. I fear your complaint will have few ramifications presently, until law and order are restored to Kenabres, but you will have that right. Now. Stand. Down."
"Then it is best you lay down your arms and surrender. There is suspicion of demonic association in this place. If you were unaware of your employers possible leanings, then the tribunal shall find you innocent of treason. It shall not be so gentle to those unrepentant. Toss your weapons this way, place your hands on your heads and slowly move closer." Mordan prepares to bind the hands of those who surrender, and plans to take them back for judgment at the Defender's Hearth.
Mordan steps to the door, his longsword being drawn. "You have yet a chance to surrender. Lay down your arms and recognize the folly of listening to demonic tongues. This city shall brook no traitors, so you have only the one chance."
Readied Action:
Mordan prepares to rush in front of Haroon, protecting him with a wall of steel should any of the guards resist the spell.
"Agreed. There were merchants here correct? Then let us take what gold we have to outfit accordingly. Shall we meet back here in two hours with our supplies?"
"I am certainly willing to help return this city to its former state, where the streets are safe from demonic assault. Rooting out the infestation of the Ivory Labyrinth seems a good step towards that goal." Mordan continues polishing his armor, both saddened by the need to wear it and glad to have a reason to need it.
Mordan heaves a sigh of relief upon seeing the state of the Defender's Heart. "A ray of light in these dreary days. A reminder that Iomedae blesses us with hope, and a will to enact it." He finds a spot to rest, and divests himself of his cumbersome armor. Once freed from the restrictions of steel, he walks about the makeshift refugee camp offering his services as healer or priest to those in need.
"Agreed. This is a fine place to weather the night. Is anyone wounded?" Greylocke will look after the librarians, as well as offer prayers and healing for those in need.
"Stand down! What goes on here? Speak quickly and justify these actions before things get messy."
Mordan continues swinging the Morningstar in a wide arc towards a rat's head.
"Vermin," Mordan grunts. He then pulls the Morningstar as he charges one of the rats away from the group to draw their attention away from the rest.
Mordan keeps his emotions in check, though the sight of the ruined city has certainly jolted him. "These streets are dangerous, and any resistance is unlikely to be spread out. We should minimize the amount of travel through these streets. Of our destinations, which is closest? We should start there and plan a path that keeps our travel to the smallest amount needed to get to these destinations."
"Agreed. Those above will not fall quietly. Still, we should be cautious entering the streets until we know more of what's going on. Let's gather up the others, and slowly head up to see what state the city lies." Mordan stands near the ladder, waiting for the rest to gather up before venturing up first.
Mordan steps up to the fallen Oliver, pulling out the remaining bits of his healers kit.
Cleaning and bandaging the wounds to prevent some demonic infection, he then begins to pray. "Blessed Iomedae, grant this man another moment in the light."
Mordan moves closer, hoping to fill in should someone need to fall back.
Mordan will climb up next, setting up a defensive wall to protect the rest of the group and their climb.
Mordan also follows everyone back up.
"Easy, all. Remember, we're far from safety and still need to rely upon each other to survive. Let's not let ourselves forget that in the moment. Shall we head up?"
Mordan pushes past the upcoming disagreement with Oliver... for now. "Yes, let's not leave possible enemies behind us. Let's finish down here, then the kitchen, then see if up truly leads out of here. One would hope that these demon worshipers came from somewhere above. There must be a way for them to get into the city from here. Does offer a ray of hope to see the sun again, does it not?"
Mordan places his hands on Ginger's shoulders as he finishes his small prayer. "Let Iomedae decide your worthiness for her blessing, friend." Warmth flows from his hands, as Ginger's minor wounds bind themselves.
"Yaniel's blade? This is indeed good news. We must return it to the crusaders above as soon as we can. Another holy relic can only help fight the demons, and this one could boost moral significantly as well."
Mordan walks over to Ginger, his face a stone mask. "I understand the heat of battle, but a life has been taken which could have been saved to bolster the forces of good." Mordan kneels down in front of Ginger, and bows his head while placing a hand upon her shoulder. "In these times, of strife and pain, we ask for guidance. There is nothing that can be done now, and the danger at hand both in the city above and these catacombs below do not lend us the time to seek atonement for our sins. I will serve penance with you, friend, no matter the demand. But that penance will have to wait until we are free from these caves." Mordan stands back up and offers Ginger his hand. I doubt this will be the last time our resolve and faith will be tested." The elder paladin glares at Oliver. "All sentient creatures are allowed choices, for even the aged are but children next to the gods. As such, we make choices both good and bad. How many had this mongrelman killed? Dozens? Maybe. None? Also a possibility. How are you to judge? The only thing we know is that he allowed his mind to be swayed by the honeyed words of demonkind. One day, you will find yourself compromised by the abyssal denizens. And when the chance of redemption is offered to you, remember these creatures you would slaughter without compassion." Turning, Mordan offers a blessing from Iomedae to anyone who needs it.
The elder paladin's countenance becomes grim, the line of his jaw shifting as his face becomes hard. "You, and your masters, have much to answer for. By Iomedae's light, I forsake thee. By Iomedae's grace, I send thee back to thy masters!" With a step and a massive swing, Mordan brings down the Morningstar with power straight at the woman's head.
Mordan pushes into the room, staying close to the woman and trying to keep her attention focused on the elder paladin.
His rushed attack fails to find a target, despite the weight of the blow.
Forming a shield wall with Ginger, Mordan bashes down with the Morningstar, offering only a short moment for the tieflings surrender. "Even you can find redemption in Iomedae's light. Turn now, and you may survive."
Mordan returns to the hole and straps his wall of steel back to his arm, before nodding he's ready to continue.
Mordan moves up, silently swinging the Morningstar down. "It did not have to be this way, child."
Mordan sighs loudly. "Please, reconsider your violence. This shall not end the way you want, and the only ones who benefit from this conflict are demonkind. Be smart, return to your homes. Ask your God for forgiveness, and work to atone for these poor choices." Speaking while moving, he draws the Morningstar and moves to intercede between the mongrelmen and Mordan's allies. He then takes a defensive stance, watching the choice the mongrelman take.
Readied Action:
"Understandable Sam. I'll be happy to go. Hold my shield, will you? Toss it down when I get down there." Mordan will hand his shield off, and swing down on the rope into the lower room.
"Up likely leads out to the city, hopefully soon. As worried as I am about the attack, I think it best to ensure the underground menace that may be here is removed. If the attack went as badly as it seemed, then the defenses above are already weakened. At the least, we can try and gauge the danger here before warning the city above."
Hearing the sounds of danger, as well as Sam's muffled curse, Mordan pushes out rapidly with his shield in front in order to give the archer a target harder to hit.
"Most? Yes, of course. But not all. Some will have been swayed by demonic tongues and promises, the cost of which are never disclosed. Remember, these mongrelman were a part of Neatholm until recently. I see no reason to slaughter misguided children for weak wills or poor choices. There are many other punishments awaiting them in this life or the next for what they may have done. It's easy to slaughter them, and justify to yourself that they were foul demon worshipers. Yet somewhere, a mother is asking 'Was there no way to save my child?' If you lop their head from their shoulders without a thought, can you look into her teary eyes and honestly say 'No?' If you offer compassion, if you offer atonement, if you give them a chance to turn their backs on the false promises of all demonkind then when they choose ignore your words and fight, the strength of your choices will remove doubt from your mind as you tell her 'No.' And when you face your life in the realm of the dead, the souls of those mothers will remember your honesty when time for judgement." Suddenly realizing that his thoughts began to spill from his mouth as a sermon rather than a discussion, his face gets a slightly embarrassed look on it as he tightens the straps on his shield. "Er... at least, for me it is."
"The offer takes little time and effort. Hold your strike a moment, give them a moment to reconsider. I say this for the mislead mongrelman, the worshipers of Demons are another affair. I will offer succor to those who hesitate, but most of them are too far gone, their souls already claimed by Abyssal denizens. Whatever you do, though, defend yourself. I would prefer not to have to say funeral rites over another companion." Mordan readjusts his massive shield, before asking "Is the way clear, Valtyra?"
"Aye. Let us finish clearing this den of trouble. Again, I ask that quarter be offered to the mongrelman who may be being led astray by the honeyed words of demonkind. Do not endanger your life, I understand few may take these offers of succor. Yet the offer need be made so that those few who do choose redemption are not slaughtered needlessly." With that, the elder paladin dons his armor and shield, pulls the Morningstar and readies to follow back out the door.
Same, level 2. Saves, redonk. Lay on Hands, awesome. :D
Mordan offers the dwindling contents of his healers pouch to assist the natural process for the nights rest.
Sadly, other than ensuring no infections take root the dank caverns seem to make it more difficult to keep things clean and dry. Once he's finished, he slowly removes his armor and begins the process of repairing what he can, and cleaning it the best he can under the circumstances. That completed, he curls up with his massive shield as a head rest, and says "Even holed up as we are, we should set watches. Wake me in 3 hours, and I shall take the center watch." He then closes his eyes and slowly begins to doze.
Your paladin is more accepting than others of his type, though the evil effects would likely cause him some concern. :)
"Begone beast! Tarry us no more!"
With a solid thud, the morningstar lands with a satisfying crunch into the beasts back.
Mordan grunts at the creatures rapid approach, "Blast it. These caves are much more dangerous than I had anticipated. Begone creature! Hinder us no more!" With that, he swings the morningstar down on the creature in an attempt to distract it from its prey.
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