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Hey Guys. I've been super drained with work and I'm gonna be starting classes soon. I'm thinking of putting this campaign on an official hiatus. I won't burn anything down but maybe we can explore our options once I get more free time. Sorry everyone. I know everyone (mostly Kat) put a lot of work into their characters and I had a couple things planned but I've just been blanking on getting from point A to point C. That and the tiredness just has me beat.
Tarik:
"The Emperor needs capable agents who are willing to take incredible risks for incredible rewards while not technically being one of his subjects. In short, you're strong but expendable. Join us and you'll be rich and well-supported. Anya:
"Yes I suppose it is a conscription, Miss Silverhair. But it does have its benefits. You will be free from prisons, well-paid, gain important allies, and gain support support in your little war aainst Caenar. We are on your side, Miss Silverhair. We just like reminding those under us who's in charge even if you will be getting a larger amount of...discretion than most agents get." Nikandros:
"Yes one would expect such things - if the world made sense. Sadly, even the gods can only show us so much direct support. And as we saw, even your church was woefully unaware of the threat until it had consumed your city. Laurentis was not alone. There are other Demon Lords with their own high priests. They all seemed to be working together despite their own animosities. It should be impossible yet here we are.
We need you and your new friends to go where we cannot and fight the enemies hiding in the shadows where we cannot reach them." Val: "Nonsense, you are perfect. You're Caenar born and bred. You have a lifetime of training in stealth, legerdemain, thievery, and disguise. And most importantly, you have every reason to hate Caenar with a passion.
We need assets with these skills who can go beyond the borders of Navan. We can offer training, support, funding, and, most importantly, protection for you and your sister. We can hide her and her family here so perfectly that no Wizard can find her and provide a life of wealth and comfort. What say you?"
Nikandros:
It began with a glorified throat-clearing as it establishes the power of the Emperor and the many once-nations he now owns. It offers a magnanimous hand of friendship from Abadar's chosen to the great champion of Grim Hunter. Should Nikandros come to Skyreach and complete a holy mission to rid the continent of a great evil then His Majesty Emperor Laius Tavoularis will donate gold and troops to the protection of Stagreach and additional funds to the temple of Erastil to do with as they please. Anya: Agent Baker laughed. It was thoroughly unpleasant. "Miss Silver-hair, you are already wanted dead by one Continental Superpower; you should not wish to make an enemy of another. Listen, we really are on the same side. This little demonstration was just to remind you of who is in charge here."
Nikandros:
Nikandros tears through the ropes with ease. Agent Baker clapped politely but seemed unperturbed.
"It's that strength we need in the coming fight. You are free to inspect the scroll as you wish." Anya:
Agent Baker frowned. "I'm afraid there is no equal standing. The Empire stands above you and the Emperor stands above me. It was through his magnanimity that there is the offer of protection. You need us Miss Silver-Hair; the question is if you are willing to be useful to us. If yes then together we can defeat the evil that has kept you down your entire life. But if you remain unconvinced then you may read the scroll." He props up the scroll that Anya may read it.
It began with a glorified throat-clearing as it establishes the power of the Emperor and the many once-nations he now owns. It then singled out "Anya Silverhair" as being under the total protection of the Emperor in life and death until rescind by the Emperor or his successors. It then listed some of the nasty means of punishment and execution that would await those who would capture, imprison, kill, or otherwise harm Anya. Tarik: "I can handle a rogue, an itinerant, and a dissident but a colonial? So...uncivilized. The offer I assure you is quite real. I wouldn't have offered it were it my choice. I advise you take it." He put the scroll on Tarik's chest and angled it so he could read it effectively.
It began with a glorified throat-clearing as it established the power of the Emperor and the many once-nations he now owns. It then singled out Tarik Blackhands as an eternal agent of the Empire of Navan until the Emperor should choose to rescind his protection. It then listed some of the nasty means of punishment and execution that would await those who would capture, imprison, kill, or otherwise harm Tarik.
Anya:
The man dodge with almost supernatural speed despite the look of honest surprise on his face. "Well now, that's the spirit! That's exactly what we need!" Laughing, he pulled out a scroll and unfurled it. "I am Agent Baker, Navan Royal Intelligence. This is a royal commission of his Majesty Laius Tavoularis. It would authorize you as one of his agents and give you powerful political protection against even Caenar. All you have to do for us is accept some, shall we say, off-the-books tasks that need your expertise. What say you?" Val:
Val could look down and see that her blankets with still covering her body. It appeared as though the strange man had not moved them. The man removed the gag gently.
"My name is Agent Baker, Navan Royal Intelligence. We've been tracking your movements for quite some time. One of our agents in Caenar tipped off to the street rat with the powerful sword and the skill to use it. Combined with a lifetime of thievery and other skills acquired from the hard streets of Hellmouth would make you a perfect agent. Right as he got authorization to approach you, you went and disappeared. Quite curious. Why did you leave Caenar?" Nikandros: The man removed the gag and sat in a chair next tot he bed. "Nikandros, the hero of Stag Reach, the Deadeye's favored son, it is an honor to meet you. I do apologize for the rather heavy-handed approach. I told them it would be unnecessary for you but they never do listen to me."
"My name is Agent Baker, Navan Royal Intelligence. I am here on the authority of his Majesty Laius Tavoularis with an offer you should not refuse," he says unfurling a scroll with what Nik recognized as the royal seal of Navan. "Your position here as the champion of the church of the Great Hunter gives you much opportunity to do good. But I offer you something more. You can become an agent of our Empire and help us conquer the greatest evil in the world."
Tarik:
"Very wise decision. Seems unlike you from what I've heard." The man removed the gag very roughly. I am Agent Baker, Navan Royal Intelligence. I'm here because you've caused an awful lot of trouble running around with that Caenaran toy of yours. This isn't the colonies where you can do as you like without permission."
Agent Baker pulled out two scrolls from somewhere on his person, Tarik couldn't follow the swift movements of his hands. "I have in my hand a carrot and a stick. This one," he said letting the scroll in his right hand hang loose. "is a royal writ of secrecy. This authorizes you as an agent of his majesty Emperor Laius Tavoularis. This would give you special protections and privileges but also mean that you must follow certain orders." "The other scroll, and I would love to see you take it, is a deathmark. Navan, Syrissia, Highmountain, and the Elven Lands would be ordered to kill you on sight, bounty hunters would hound you for the rest of your life looking for the price on your head, and the only nation that would accept you in Caenar. The only problem is that Caenar wants to kill you too for taking their new toy. The choice is yours." Anya:
"That is quite smart of you, Miss Silverhair, He said as he removed the gag."
All responses under the spoiler tag for now please.
Anya:
Anya woke up the next day in the plushest bed she ever slept in. Her head hurt from the alcohol but the cool air from the window helped dull the pain. As she made to get up, she noticed that her hands were both above her head. She tried to bring them down but couldn't. She made a startled noise but it came out muffled. The haze of sleep cleared as she realized that she was bound and gagged to her bed.
Good morning, Miss Silverhair. A voice from the corner spoke to her. It was polite and pleasant but with a dangerous edge. "I'm sure you have many questions but please allow me to assure you that I am not here to rob or harm you in anyway. I wanted to have a private conversation with a 'captive audience,' so to speak." The man chuckled at his own joke. He was tall and slim with close cropped hair. Anya was almost certain she had seen him before but it was very difficult to tell and the man looked almost perfectly average with no real distinguishing features. His eyes and hair were a dull brown and his skin fair as is common in Navan. He bore no burns, cuts, scars, tattoos, or any other kind of identifying marks. "I will remove the gag if you promise not to scream. I can reapply it before anyone will hear you, I promise." Val:
Val woke up the next day in the plushest bed she ever slept in. Her head hurt from the alcohol but the cool air from the window helped dull the pain. As she made to get up, she noticed that her hands were both above her head. She tried to bring them down but couldn't. She made a startled noise but it came out muffled. The haze of sleep cleared as she realized that she was bound and gagged to her bed.
Good morning, Miss Autumnchild. A voice from the corner spoke to her. It was almost bored as though speaking to a coworker. "I am not here to rob or harm you but I need to speak and you need to listen." He was tall and slim with close cropped hair. Val was almost certain she had seen him before but it was very difficult to tell and the man looked almost perfectly average with no real distinguishing features. His eyes and hair were a dull brown and his skin fair as is common in Navan. He bore no burns, cuts, scars, tattoos, or any other kind of identifying marks. "Do you promise not to scream if I take off the gag?" Nikandros:
Nikandros woke up the next day in the plushest bed she ever slept in. His head hurt from the alcohol but the cool air from the window helped dull the pain. As he made to get up, he noticed that her hands were both above her head. He tried to bring them down but couldn't. He made a startled noise but it came out muffled. The haze of sleep cleared as he realized that he was bound and gagged to his bed.
Good morning, Mister Orc-blood. A voice from the corner spoke to her. It was steady and conciliatory like a father telling his children to go back to sleep because there are no monsters under the bed. "I am not here to rob or harm you and I will take the gag off if you promise to behave." He was tall and slim with close cropped hair. Nikandros was almost certain he had seen him before but it was very difficult to tell and the man looked almost perfectly average with no real distinguishing features. His eyes and hair were a dull brown and his skin fair as is common in Navan. He bore no burns, cuts, scars, tattoos, or any other kind of identifying marks. Tarik:
Tarik woke up the next day in the plushest bed she ever slept in. His head hurt from the alcohol but the cool air from the window helped dull the pain. As he made to get up, he noticed that her hands were both above her head. He tried to bring them down but couldn't. He made a startled noise but it came out muffled. The haze of sleep cleared as he realized that he was bound and gagged to his bed.
Good morning, Mister Blackhands. A voice from the corner spoke to her. It had an edge as though the man didn't want to be there. "I am not here to rob or harm you and I will take the gag off if you promise to shut up until I've said my piece." He was tall and slim with close cropped hair. Tarik was almost certain he had seen him before but it was very difficult to tell and the man looked almost perfectly average with no real distinguishing features. His eyes and hair were a dull brown and his skin fair as is common in Navan. He bore no burns, cuts, scars, tattoos, or any other kind of identifying marks.
The night is long and filled with cheers. New friends are made, boastful stories are told, and much alcohol is consumed. The Heroes of Stagreach are toasted all night and no one of them pays for a drink. By the end of the night, all the heroes are led to the castle to sleep in the best accommodations in the city.
It'd be nice. You guys are gonna level whenever you are done with the celebration here.
"My thanks for the food and words," he said with an appreciative nod to Ardas and Ophelia. "You treat all visitors this good?" "Only when they save cities," Ophelia said. "You want another party; you better stop another demon invasion." "Don't start another demon invasion just so you can have another party," Ardas added hastily.
Ardas' smile grew largest when Nikandros approached. "And finally, our favored son Nikandros. You endured so much at the hands of those who called themselves Erastilans yet you looked past that pain to become one of his champions. I don't seek to open old wounds, lad but I want everyone to know that the greatest among us can have humble origins. You have risen far past anything we mortal priests could have expected and done us, your race, and your home proud. We of Stag Reach salute you and name you Protector of Stag Reach." The largest cheer of all erupts in Nikandros' name and then again in the name of all four great heroes. After Ardas finishes speaking, Ophelia steps in front of him. "Now that the boring part is over, LET'S PARTY!" Several servants break out casks of ale and wine from Val's tavern and it appears that the remaining servants of the Castle have raided the larder as there are food dishes waiting for the heroes. "C'mon guys, I saved some of the best for you." Ardas and Ophelia wait for you at a table filled with simple and rustic fare cooked with excellent quality.
"Anya, you were perhaps the greatest stranger with your silver hair and magic abilities but you rose to the challenge with the fury of a god. Erastil blesses those who heed the call of the hearth and I pray he blesses your union. We of Stag Reach certainly do and we salute you." Anya looked shaken at the mention of her "union" and looked down at her wedding band as she rejoined the heroes. The crowd cheered again for Anya. Nikandros was then called forward.
Ardas smiled again as Tarik stepped forward to slip another amulet around over his head. "Tarik, you were also a stranger in these lands; you had no connections here. But with your strange weapon and your stout heart, you became indispensable in saving this city. For this and much more, we of Stag Reach salute you." Another cheer breaks through the crowd as Tarik rejoins the line of heroes. He then calls Anya forward.
Ardas gave Val a fatherly smile as he slipped an amulet around her neck. "You may have been a simple serving girl but when the city needed you, lass, you were there. You may not be from here but you will always have a place in our hearths and our hearts. You remind us that even the lowest among us can heed the Erastil's call and become a part of our family. We of Stag Reach salute you." A cheer goes through the crowd as Val returns to her place among the rest of the party. He then calls Tarik forward.
The now restored party is led into the temple altar. There Ardas and Ophelia are waiting for them with a box. Ardas is dressed in his most formal raiment whereas Ophelia didn't seem to have time to change out of her armor. "Welcome back, heroes! Today, all of those in Stag Reach and everyone who lives under the watchful eye of Erastil honor you. We faced a darkness unlike any we have seen in our history. When we needed it the most, four brave heroes stepped up and protect our hearth and homes. Please step forward so I may grant you the highest honors it is in my power to give." He calls each hero up one at a time starting with Val.
Nessa laughs at Bal's joke as Ophelia leads the way back to the temple. Priests, Guardsmen, and the patrons at the Tavern line the streets on the way there. They cheered for the heroes who ended the brief reign of demons. A few bards cast snapdragon fireworks in celebration. Ardas is there to greet the party as they approach the temple. He beckons them inside then runs back to the sacred altar.
Ophelia laughed at Anya's words. "I'm sure the temple can give you all plenty of that. Won't even charge you...much." Nessa giggles at Tarik's offer. "That's really sweet of you but I don't have fighting skills. I'm not even much of a cleaner. I just use some of my mom's old magic to do it for me. I guess if you guys need a maid I can come along."
The party hears the door they came through open and, after a few tense seconds, Ophelia and the maid come through. They seem to be acquainted as they're both giggling about some private joke. They stop as they see the victorious heroes. "Deadeye's bow, you actually did it," Ophelia says her eyes wide. "I...er...of course you did it. Great job, guys. I was always betting on you!" The maid breathes a sigh of relief. "I think I'm out of a job now but, all things considered, it could have been much worse. The city is saved and the heroes should be well-rewarded," she says with a wink. Ophelia rolls her eyes. "Come on, Nessa, there'll time for that later. We need to get back to the temple to make sure there aren't any stragglers looking for revenge."
I was hoping Deat would post seeing as he nearly died and you stopped a major threat to his church and nation.
You will get other rewards. No need to get greedy.
The first strike breaks through his fell armor. Laurentis staggers to his knees. "Fools. All of you. You have angered powers greater than you know. I would have saved you. Now...now there is no shelter against what is to come." Val's righteous blade then silenced the once-proud priest.
Laurentis narrows his eyes at Val. "Die now because I command it."
He grabs her head, obscuring her face with his hand. A mass of impossibly black energy is channeled into Val sapping her life. A small light within Val's light resists succumbing completely allowing her to hold on to the smallest bit of her life.
Just in case: http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=707417
Two great spears of ice shoot out of the ground but it seems Orcus is with his champion. "Enough! I command that you cease this foolishness!
Cerrick raises a dread claw ready to end Nikandros' life but then, just as in the bards' tales, a bullet pierces it. Then another strikes the creatures head, exploiting a crack made by Nikandros. The last shatters its spine. Cerrick, the Black Wolf, is dead for a second and hopefully final time.
Nikandros' first swing slips through the rib of the skeletal beast but the second bashes his head with holy power. Light pours from the cracks on its head but it soon fades. The beast still hungers for Half-Orc flesh.
Cerrick strikes out with a vicious claw to stop Val.
Val nimbly dodges the claw with a theatrical flourish. She expertly uses the momentum of the leap to drive her blade into his legbone.
That's true I forgot about that
In the future, should I roll the groups saves in this kind of situation to save time or would that take away too much player agency?
"Orcus, I speak your unholy name. Cripple my enemies with your blight!"
Laurentis' face revealed no pain from Tarik's bullet though it did graze his side. "Amusing. Cerrick, kill." Cerrick eyes the party. Upon seeing Nikandros' holy symbol, he howls in rage and charges.
Caught off-balance, Nikandros is grabbed by Cerrick fearsome jaw and brought to the ground.
Tarik 21
Further note: Cerrick is Large.
While he wasn't quite sure about the specifics of the various symbols, skeleton werewolves, people in grotesque masks, and calls to the prince of undeath (whoever that was) were typically bad things for one's continued existence.
The band of heroes makes their way down the final stairs into the grand throne room. Though this was once the throne room of an independent kingdom, Erastilan social mores kept things from being too ostentatious. The throne is made of hardy wood with the only extravagance being an intricately carved pair of antlers coming from the top of the throne. Nikandros well knows that there is supposed to be a large banner of the former kingdom behind the throne but it has been replaced. This banner is of a large, four-horned goat head. On the throne sits a fat man in long robes. It's clear that these robes covered well-made armor. On top his head is a twisted crown. It appears to Nikandros that the crown is the great Stag Crown but it now radiates a clear evil aura. The other heroes didn't have to be Paladins to notice. The man on the throne, the new "king" of Stag Reach, sat speaking to a group of illusory people. All had similar robes but different masks and amulets. They all seem very similar to Gustav. "We have already lost one of our number, Laurentus. These 'insignificant meddlers' destroyed a high priest and our convenient cover for what we've done," says a woman with a circular amulet. "The Mistress had plans for him." "And the Prince has afforded him a second chance; one not usually open to his kind," replies the seated man brushing off the woman's complaints. "Well, well. It seems our problem and our solution have presented themselves. Perhaps the Prince of Undeath can salvage the situation after all. That is, of course, if his high priest is up to it..." says another man in a mocking tone. He turned and looked directly at the party. His amulet was of a long staff with a snake circling around it. The snake had its fangs sunk into the top of the staff. "So be it." The man says standing up to face the party. The illusory people all faded away leaving only Laurentis. "The Prince of Undeath welcomes you, oh 'heroes.' He has deemed you worthy of the gift given to Cerrick, the Black Wolf," He says as he sweeps his arm to the side. As he does, a large skeletal Werewolf comes into view. His bones are black as midnight and his eyes as red as rubies. Blood drips from his jaw as he throws away a human leg. He then howls his rage at the heroes. "Die now and become greater than you could imagine!" Laurentis booms across the hall.
Apparently not. No one is even healing.
"Well since I can't exactly fly out of here and they control the main floor, no. No, I can't leave. I think I'll just keep hiding here and pray for the best."
The maid nearly collapsed with relief. "Thanks the gods! The Abyss is too good for that bastard." She steeled herself after hearing Anya's question. "Several men attacked the Keep. Could have been some women I suppose; they all wore heavy robes and masks. They had such terrible creatures with them. We all ran and hid. I got found by old 'horny' there." "Several of them left after they secured the town. I heard them yelling before. Some heroes, I'm assuming you lot, killed some high up in whatever this all is. I think there's only one left now. If you hurry you can kill 'em in the throne room."
"Damn those devil-whores and their bloody witchstick!" The Incubus clutches his last bullet wound as his essence splits apart from the seams created from Val's strikes. Like dark fog, he dissipates into the floor. From the other room, the maid pokes her head out from the door. "Is...is he dead? Tell me you gutted the bastard."
Oops. Roll it Val then take your turn.
The shot dig into the demon's flesh but his infernal powers pushed the bullet out and healed some of the wound. He looked battered but his flight was not interrupted.
The maid cowered in the corner for she could not run out of the room without being within the Incubus' reach again.
"Damn it all. This is not how I rejoin my Master. Socothbenoth, your power to my flight!" Decided in one desperate maneuver, to fly past the heroes and strike the fiend with gun as he passed.
"Annoying little gnat! Where did you get that blade!?" He said as the blade glowed bright with holy light. The demon's natural defenses were cleaved through like parchment. He screamed as the bullet hit his arm. The combined distractions worked as the girl slipped from his grip and dove into the corner so that the heroes now had a clear shot at the monster.
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