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"Don't be quick to celebrate," Haul remarks as he mends some of the wounds from Vernisant's brutal attack, "we still have some undead creatures and a Resolute lion to take care of."
The paladin then steps forward, looking up at the paralyzed earl with his eyes burning in hatred like a thousand golden suns. He moves his falcata slowly pointing it at the earl's face. "This weapon carries hundreds of nobles' pleas for revenge, millions of Taldans' hopes for a peaceful future. You and our former Emperor sought to take our hopes from us, deliver the coup de grace to our dying nation; but we will not let you. From today on, we will fight, by sword and by pen, to restore light to what once was a beacon of prosperity on Golarion. And nothing will stop us. May in death you receive redemption."
His mind protected by his devotion to Sarenrae, Haul is not at all affected by the allips' babbling. He concentrates on the aura emanating from Earl Vernisant, ignoring the pure Law coming off his lion and trying to determine whether or not the Earl is evil. If the Earl indeed detects as Evil, Haul will move into his path and call upon Sarenrae's power to smite Vernisant. If the Earl does not detect as Evil, Haul will remain in place and create a life bond with Boros.
Immensely relieved to see the devil crash to the floor, Haul immediately presses both his arms to himself and a pulse of golden energy emanates from him, healing his allies as well as any nearby noble but skipping his former enemies.
"I must ask the same of you, milady", Haul replies to Lady Morilla with a deep bow. "Most of our wounds we have already taken care of, and what is left can be easily mended. The senate though," he continues after a brief pause, "how could this happen? We were lucky to have arrived before the massacre was finished."
So my plan worked. "Here ends the Deckland dynasty", Haul laments over the trampled Karina's body. "The blood of true children of Absalom marred by the treachery of Cheliax." Knowing that without his Smite he is far too weak to try and damage the devil himself, Haul reaches out for Thoriel's scimitar and mumbles a short blessing common among the militant cults of Sarenrae. "It's a prayer I learned that makes weapons strike true against demons and devils. Nothing flashy, but it works."
Haul starts as the woman's blade slides right through his armor, but clenching his arm in a fist, the same light that mended Boros's wounds washes him too.
"Do continue your worthless assault, milady. One after another, your attacks will be denied by the light of Sarenrae like waves crashing against a wall. And when they do, we shall retaliate." Even if I just end up breaking her mirror images, this will make landing attacks easier for my more powerful allies, and she will hopefully continue targeting me in her fury. ,
"And I am Haul, First Earl Ceffyls, Champion of the Cleansing Light. Your sister died for her murder of a Pathfinder and treason against Absalom; you, I judge to death for atrocious crimes against the Empire of Taldor and treason against all of Golarion!" For a moment, the Angelic Ankh of Sarenrae flashes just in front of the hovering woman, causing the holy symbol emblazoned on Haul's plate mail to glow a warm golden colour. He then sends his right hand to Boros, like a child trying to protect a friend, and mutters a prayer of healing, causing some of the sear marks from Karina's brutal attack to disappear. "Fall back, my friend,"
Haul nods grimly at Ionnia, remaining in silence for a few seconds as he considers how to explain the situation to her. "We are indeed not here for a chat with your master; we knew the Earl was out working on preparations before the Gala, or on more. You see, we have received word that Earl Vernisant takes part in a conspiracy that could plunge the Empire into havoc, and if the servants' attack is any proof, the Earl doesn't want us digging into his dirty work."
"Ah, thank you, Ranalus. It's been a while since I've done this without divine aid. Now, if my eyes do not deceive me, that was a holy symbol of Thamir Gixx, halfling god of greed and opportunity, protecting our unlucky adversary." Like devotees of Norgorber, then; hired assassins, most likely. Haul nods at Aestrith, who remains by Ionnia, as he turns around to Boros and waves his hands over him, making with two fingers a sign reminiscent of Sarenrae's Angelic Ankh. As he does, golden light springs from his fingers and wraps around the aasimar's arms, freeing them of the poison's influence.
Haul watches silently as the coughing begins, narrowing his eyes as he takes a good look at the expression and movements of each person present, before quickly realizing that his host and several of his teammates have been poisoned. "Sabotage!", he cries as he heaves himself to a standing position and limps over to Ionnia. "Stop the scheming halflings while I tend to our host's condition. Since she was poisoned too, I concur that this may have been the servants' devious plan, not Earl Vernisant's." He stoops over to the coughing Eckhart and starts applying pressure to various spots on her body, hoping to control the flow of the poison in her blood so as to prepare it for removal or easier recovery by the body, but seems to miss every single intended spot.
Haul nods multiple times as the Lion Blade speaks, not in the least surprised that she already has information regarding the planned massacre. The Lions have ears and eyes in every corner of Oppara, after all. "I have received information that Earl Calhadion Vernisant is in charge of the Day of Exaltation's security. If he is indeed a co-conspirator against the senate, the entire gala's security is compromised. We shall make haste to his villa and see what we can gather."
"Many apologies", the paladin says, "but the condition of my feet was not my choice. Finding a horse or some other way to expedite my speed of travel - that of all of us, in fact - would be useful. Every second counts." Aestrith once again helps Haul to his feet, and follows him as he walks out of the Bait & Tackle.
After assessing the situation, and being affected by his teammates' cooler, more logical approach, Haul spends a few minutes scribbling down notes on rumours that had reached his ears or conversations regarding the gala he may have had during the last few days. He occasionally consults Aestrith on names and events he may have forgotten, and ends up with a large amount of information. He clears his throat and start explaining. "Right... well, some background for those of you who weren't in Oppara or Taldor lately--the Grand Day of Exaltation is an important affair. It is a day in which the Grand Prince elevates a lucky commoner to the rank of noble, and many people from all around Avistan flock to Oppara to participate in celebrations and be part of this historic event." The paladin pauses for a moment, allowing the basic information to sink in. "Now, for specifics about today. The commoner set to be exalted today is a man from the little hamlet of Breezy Creek, uh..." "Kalbio", Aestrith reminds him. "Yes, Kalbio of Breezy Creek. I had the opportunity to chat with some friends of his a few days ago. The fellow's parents spent a fortune to have their son educated and prepared for the occasion. Besides the Exaltation itself, an important vote is to be held by the Senate today; they will decide whether or not to abolish the law that says only men are allowed to ascend to the throne of Taldor. Primogen Throne, so, Primogeniture, it's called. As you probably know, the Grand Prince's only remaining heir is a female, Princess Eutropia, and so she amassed support in the senate and across the Empire to abolish Primogeniture and legalize her eventual ascent to the throne." A tinge of excitement and pride in Haul's voice as he says the final sentence confirms that he is a supporter of Princess Eutropia, and is looking forward to the abolition of Primogeniture. "Your meeting with your friend, the guard, sir?", the Ulfen woman whispers to Haul. "I'm getting to it. Our friend Trolltooth is right; there is no chance we get into the senate hall without the proper arrangements. A friend of mine has informed me that Earl Vernisant, appointed by the Grand Prince to oversee the gala's security, has been working hard for two months on the event's security, leaving no room for doubt regarding its quality." "One final detail I still don't really know what to make of... this year has seen a significant rise in the amount of nobles and dignitaries from foreign countries attending the gala. This includes envoys from Cheliax and Andoran, the former provinces of Taldor, which are currently the Empire's bitter rivals. I encountered an escort of one of those envoys two days ago, a Chelish noblewoman named Deckland. Apparently she's a renowned fencer, spellcaster, and servant of Asmodeus, lord of devils. If that isn't suspicious, I don't know what is." Haul finishes his lecture with a nod of confirmation to his bodyguard, and turns to his fellow Pathfinders for ideas.
Haul remains sitting with his mouth agape for most of Bjarte's explanation and his teammates' replies. He attempts to jerk himself upward in the same fashion as Toshi, having seemingly forgotten the condition of his legs, and is helped to a standing position by Aestrith. "How are you all so calm about this?", he asks, looking mostly at Ranalus and Thoriel. "The Grand Prince of Taldor arranging a massacre against his own Senate? Unbelievable; this is madness!"
Shaking hands of friends and greeting acquaintances left and right, a human of average height slowly enters to the Bait & Tackle's back room. His fair skin is barely visible beneath a robust suit of gleaming metal armor adorned in various places with the Angelic Ankh, holy symbol of Sarenrae; the scimitar strapped above his left thigh was evidently polished meticulously, and the metal shield on his back bears a coat of arms of a stylized red horse over a golden sun. Despite his apparent grandeur, the paladin walks with a considerable limp, and comes crashing down on one of the chairs. Following just after him is a short, blonde Ulfen woman in much simpler gear, entering the room and standing quietly by Haul's seat. "So we're going to the Day of Exaltation gala, are we? Fantastic! Just what I needed to solidify my status as a fledgling noble. I'm Haul, by the way; Haul, First Earl Ceffyls, paladin in service of the Dawnflower. This is Aestrith, a friend from the Lands of the Linnorm Kings who kindly joined me as bodyguard." The woman nods, remaining silent. "Right, now to the mission an hand. Not too long ago I ventured to the north to help clear the name of a member of the Ulfen Guard, who in turn should have given the society some information about today's event. What'd we learn?"
Applying with Haul Ceffyls, though only if the game is indeed in the date mentioned (13.8) and not session mentioned (second session, 1.10). This guy is already signed up for a second session game. Player Name: TheSuperDodo
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