Selene steps into the room.
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Hearing the sounds of combat after her companions disappear inside the house, Selene readies herself for battle, imbuing her scimitar with holy power as she rushes inside the house.
Selene keeps watch as the others tend to the horse, looking worriedly at the mansion, but glancing back at the group's efforts from time to time. Kind souls, it seems. Guess I was lucky to run into them. I must do what I can to keep them safe. When they're ready to move on, Selene will look to Sabola and Vivian, to see if they want to try and approach the mansion quietly. If so, she'll hang back, ready to charge in at the first sign of trouble. If not, she'll lead the group inside herself.
"I... I suppose that's the smartest course of action. I just... I'm worried about the small girl. But... I guess we wouldn't be much help if we just crash our way into the mansion. Let's deal with the rider first, then, and figure out how to get into the mansion afterwards."
Selene makes sure she is fully healed on the way to the old mansion.
She takes position in front of the group as Sabola examines fhe tracks, eyeing the mansion warily, sword in hand. "We know the rider you were pursuing came here, right? To meet with the dead man we found at the temple. I'd guess the horse tracks belong to him. That would mean he's likely alone at the carriage house, is that right, Sabola? All the other tracks lead to the mansion itself." Selene's expression takes a darker turn as she considers the information. "If that's true, that likely means we'll need to get through that marsh giant and whatever else they have waiting for us if we want to rescue the baby. And I'm worried we'll be putting her in danger when we make ourselves known." At Vivian's question, she gives a small nod. "I've been studying a bit about monsters from a tome I've acquired in the past. Let me see what I can recall about marsh giants in particular."
Same here, hoping it's just the holiday season slowing things down.
Feel free to bring it up in game! As for the mechanical explanation, I took the Life-Dominant Soul feat, which lets me heal from both positive and negative channeled energy, but at half effectiveness, to not make Lay on Hands useless on myself. And the Injured mercy adds Fast Healing on top of that to help a bit more. I'm unsure how the feat affects Cure and Inflict spells, though.
"I do, do not worry." Selene channels a bit more energy into her wounds when she feels the previous energy dissipating.
"If we're done with this place, we should definitely decide on what to do with the victims bodies. And the cultist's too, I suppose. I'm guessing you should perform the proper rites, Vivian? It will take time, though, that I'm not sure we can spare right now. We don't know how long Father Voltiaro will stay at the manor with the baby - we can't afford to miss them. Maybe we can inform the mayor, and deal with the bodies when we get back? Would that be acceptable, Vivian?"
Selene smiles weakly at Sabola's compliment, shaking her head slightly. "Nonsense. Sarenrae guided my hand there, that's all... That... Thing had to be dealt with quickly, before it harmed any of you as well." With a pained smile, Selene channels some of her goddess's healing light into her wounds, helping them close with remarkable speed, even as she feels a slightly uncomfortable burn as the positive energy conflicts with her cursed blood.
Selene cries out as the beast's claws brutaly tears into her, despite her armor. She knows Sonny is right and her priority has to be to take the thing down quickly. Seeing her companions attacks being less effective against the thing's hide, she calls upon her godess's strength and throws herself at the beast, putting as much force as she can behind each swing.
"Nghh... You unholy... Monstrosity! I'll cleanse your taint from this place!"
No, it's supposed to be a place outside of town where the rider Vivian and Pontia were chasing was supposed to meet with one of the cult's victims (the merchant with the note detailing the meeting on his pocket).
Selene gives Vivian a slight nod with a sad smile "Thank you." She looks back at the couple. "We will do what we can to help you and your daughter." She looks back to her companions. "We should make haste for the manor then, if we hope to both catch your rider and find Father Voltiaro and the baby girl still there. There's no telling how long they might stay there."
"That's understandable." Selene says to the tearful woman with a sad nod. She looks away in thought for a moment, unsure if she should say anything more. "Would you consider leaving town, to get away from the church's influence, if we were able to help you get your daughter back? Depending on where you would go, we might even be able to help you get there." She looks at the others for a moment with a questioning look, hoping they might also be willing to help the couple and their daughter. "If we're going towards the Undiomede House anyway, we should try to at least ensure their daughter's safety if we find her and this Father Voltiaro still there."
Selene clenches her hands at the couple's tale. I wouldn't believe a word of whatever the head of this cult said... And yet, if this is already set as the way things are done in this town, it means the cult's hold on it extends far back. How many other girls have suffered at their hands? She takes a deep breath, and addresses the couple as well. "No matter the reason, forcing a daughter apart from their parents is a cruel thing to do. I canunderstand your sorrow. Is there nothing that can be done?"
Selene nods at Sonny's suggestion. "Seems like a good idea. Might be best if we can get a message to the mayor and explain to him what we found out before we start dragging the villagers bodies out in the open, though. My only worry is that we might be giving any remaining member of this cult time to escape, or to set loose whatever abomination drained those bodies. But if we're keeping watch by the entrance while we straighten things out with the mayor, I guess we'll be able to prevent both of those scenarios until we are ready to go further inside."
"It seems we've both confirmed the mayor's suspicions, and managed to find the trail you two were hoping to follow." She nods to Vivian and Pontia. "If this man got caught before he could meet the rider you were following, the rider might still be around at this old house, waiting for a contact who will never arrive. Might be worthwhile to pay this old house a visit next." Selene then takes another grim look at the bodies, after Sonny's explanation of what happened. "So, not just a ritualistic beheading as part of a demonic ritual - something was actually... Implanted inside and burst out through the neck? And those somethings might be responsible for draining the vitality of the ones that are withered?" She looks to the door Sabola has just revealed. "This cult is clearly a menace to this town - I'd prefer if we stopped them now, but I won't push you to it if you'd prefer to just report back to the mayor. If we're going ahead, though, I'll take point."
"I agree with Vivian, though, that withering seems... Unnatural. But I also do not have any idea of what might have caused it... Might be a result of whatever vile rituals they are conducting in this place. Understanding what caused it might at least give us an idea of what were up against."
Selene glares harshly at the bodies on the floor, before turning her eyes back to the group, nodding at Sonny's suggestion. "You think there's more to the temple, then? It does feel smaller than it should be. And it makes sense for a bunch of secret demon worshippers to have a place to openly practice their faith, hidden from the eyes of the rest of the town, I guess. I agree with starting with the Vizier's room - if anyone would have direct access to a secret temple, it would be him."
I'm fine with either option - I would prefer we RP things out, but considering the party was already inside the temple, I can see how it might be a bit harder to manage, and handwaving it all would let us get back on track more quickly.
Thanks for having me along as well!
I'd like to submit Selene here, a Dhampir Undead Scourge Paladin of Sarenrae. There's still a few things I want to ponder over (Unsanctioned Knowledge spells for 3rd and 4th level mostly, which won't be relevant for this level anyway).Unsanctioned Knowledge suggestions Thanks! Always nice to read everyone's thoughts with so many options available. I was already leaning heavily towards Good Hope and Freedom of Movement, so I think I'll go with those choices, unless there's something else not yet covered by the rest of the party that they would rather have.
I'd like to submit Selene here, a Dhampir Undead Scourge Paladin of Sarenrae. There's still a few things I want to ponder over (Unsanctioned Knowledge spells for 3rd and 4th level mostly, which won't be relevant for this level anyway). Hopefully she can also be a decent option for a frontliner to your party. The Con penalty hurts a bit for a tanking role, as does halving lay on hands healing, but I'm hoping that Mirror Image and the Injured Mercy will help compensate for those. I'm also planning on getting Ultimate Mercy by 11 or 13, which would bring Raise Dead to the table - I won't be able to cast Restoration to go along with it until level 13, unfortunately, but scrolls would be an available option until then. Stat Sheet - Paladin:
Selene Iluzr Dhampir Paladin ( Undead Scourge) 9; Lawful Good Medium Humanoid(Dhampir) Init: +3 Senses: Darkvision, Perception +9 =================================================
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Ranged
Spells Prepared (CL 8; (4/2/0/0) Concentration+12)
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------ Skills (3 per level - 30 ranks)
Equipment
Armor: +2 Full-Plate, +1 Buckler
Racial Options Subrace
Vampire Hunter
Heir to Undying Nobility
Backstory:
Selene knows very little about her origins, knowing only what her adoptive father told her: Her mother wondered into town in a weak state, and died giving birth to her, as is typical for her kind. Her adoptive father, Elric Iluzr, a priest of Sarenrae who took her in and kept her shielded from the reproachful looks of the other villagers. While clearly unhappy having such a cursed child around, they never did anything to get her to leave, out of respect for her father and the help he had given them over the years. Disaster struck when the vampire who was responsible for her birth found out about her and her foster father. In a sadistic display of cruelty, killed most of the citizens, including Elric, but proposedly leaving Selene alive, letting her live with the loss and forcing her to face the world alone - sure that she would soon come to despise the humans who feared her and would eventually return to his side. Lost and devastated, Selene wandered aimlessly, until she turned to Sarenrae for support. Bolstered by the Dawnlight's strength, she has dedicated herself to follow her foster father's path, vowing to protect the innocents and rid the land of the undead scourge that plagues it - including the vampire monster that sired her. During her travels, she encounter the late professor as he was being ambushed by a group of undead beasts, and she managed to jump in just in time to protect him. They spoke at length as she escorted him to his destination, and he was particularly surprised and interested in how Selene still managed to call upon her goddess's power to heal herself, despite her heritage. And while the deed and following trip apparently left a mark significant enough for the professor to include her in his will, she unfortunately did not get the notice in time to be there, as Selene tries to never stay too long in one place - even when she's not ran out of town for being an abomination in their eyes, she knows most still find her presence unsettling. Dark Secret:
Spoiler:
While her vampire 'father' is indeed responsible for the town's residents deaths, Selene herself was the weapon he used to do so - by dominating her and ordering to kill and feed on her neighbours. And while she knows, at some level, that this was his doing, she can't help but blame herself for letting him control her. Especially as she only managed to try and shrug the mental domination when her foster father interposed himself between her and another victim - it was if the deaths of the others who shunned her all those years meant nothing besides the sweet taste of their blood on her lips. Even though Sarenrae herself seems to have accepted her willingness to atone for those deeds, and ensure nothing similar happens again, Selene hasn't forgiven herself, and likely won't. Her journey across the country, destroying undead and other evils is not just about protecting the innocent for her - it is also her way of trying to atone for her deeds.
Appearance: Like most dhampir, Selene presents a tall figure, normally encased in full plate armor, that hides her beautiful, slender body. She favours wearing a closed helmet, to make it harder on strangers to notice her cursed heritage and judge her unfairly for it. Her emerald eyes, a stark contrast to her porcelain skin, seem to burn with a grim determination that easily turns to righteous fury when she is faced with undead or other vile, unrepentable creatures. Her long whitish blonde hair is usually pulled back into a tight braid, and while she is typically serious and her smile a rare sight, there's a softness to her that is noticeable whenever she is tending to someone's wounds or afflictions. |