Farasha follows Kazul to the door, staying outside for now as she doesn't want to give the stealthy half-orc away, but ready to push through the doors at a moment's notice if there's trouble.
Grinding his teeth at this destruction the Paladin can do nothing more than put a symphatic hand on the elfs shoulder, whispering him an assurance that what is broken can be rebuild, as long as there is hope!
Farasha glances back and gets Bollwerk's attention, beckoning him and making a fang gesture with her hand to indicate an enemy inside the building. Though everything in her wants to burst through the door, she grits her teeth and waits for Bollwerk to get to her side. Holding fingers up and counting 1..2..3.. the doors push open and Farasha immediately moves inside and to the left, scoping out the inside and preparing to fire at whatever might be threatening the poor folk inside.
She also prays Kazul will forgive her if she spoils his hiding, but hopes her distraction at least makes up for it.
Drawing his sword and nodding understanding the tiefling bursts into the building ready to engage whatever is inside.
A javelin flies out of the shadows thrown sidearm to knock the tiefling back and up, so his torch falls back and away from the bound oil covered people!
Charging his nearest enemy Bollwerk engages the enemy.
Feeling speed of takedown is more important than anything here, Farasha aims for the nearest foe still standing that is carrying flame.
Whilst her aim is slightly off for the first shaft, the second strikes true.
Kazul's javelin catches one of the tieflings in the chest, piercing her heart - she dies with a whimper. Farasha's arrow does much the same, the tiefling dying with a gurgle from a pierced throat. One torch falls to the floor and goes out, the other hits the floor and begins rolling toward the slick of oil on the library floor...
Radiance strikes true, cutting the armored man. He steps back and salutes Bollwerk. "Ah! A true believer! Once I slay you, they shall surely take note of my actions here, and take me as one of their own! But first..." He swings his mace down upon the crying woman, sending her kneeling form crashing to the ground on a spatter of blood.
He is, or was, clearly a crusader. His shield stills bears the symbol of Iomedae, although it's covered in dried blood and gore.
Eyes flickering with the reflection of the burning torch, Farasha trusts to her friends, proven warriors both, to end the traitorous crusader without her assistance.
She breaks in to a run towards the torch, and gathers the only large cloth item she has to hand, her new dress, to smother the flames. Pulling it from her pack she drops the cloth down and sweeps the torch sideways away from the oil, bundling it up and out of range of the vulnerable books and people.
His eyes flickering for a moment to the poor woman Bollwerk moves to interpose between the captives and the crusader."You disgrace!"
"I am Chaleb Sazomal, and I am your death!" He screams and rushes forward at Bollwerk. His mace crashes down on the paladin, smashing flesh and bone.
Sjurd manages to wriggle his hands free, thanks to the oil.
Bollwerk's return slash cuts the man, causing a gout of red blood to spew from his leg.
Farasha snatches the torch up and douse it before it can ignite the oil. The poor woman struck down by Chaleb lies bleeding, near death...
Move to N 17 and take a swing.
Attack:
Feeling the pain Bollwerk retaliates but not before healing himself.
Sure that the flames are out, Farasha moves around the pool of oil and people towards the ailing woman, stopping by her side and using the energy of one of her spells to fuel a burst of healing energy in to her.
2nd - Remove Paralysis(d), Resist Energy, Silence, (open)
1st - Remove Fear(d),
0th (at will)-create water, detect magic, light, read magic
Radiance flashes, and another blow is dealt to the crusader. Kazul moves to assist Bollwerk, but is off the mark.
Chaleb Sazomal grimaces with the pain, but steps up determined to crush Bollwerk. His mace, glowing softly with a blue light, crashes into Bollwerk's shield. It leaves a horrific dent, but does no other damage.
Kazul nimbly skips over to M18, waits for Bolwerk to move in and flank also and strikes...and misses horribly!
Seeing that somehow divine support has arrived Bollwerk renews his attack, but not without healing himself
Gashed again by the paladin, the ex-crusader casts down his weapon.
"P-please! I have seen the the error of my ways! Please don't kill me! A madness took me!" He falls on his knees, pawing at Bollwerk and begging for mercy.
Kazul leaves the man's fate to the paladin and looks dumbfoundedly at his sword, and silently asks why it let him down in battle...He then shakes it off and moves to free the tied up librarians.
Mercy? Oh, Lady of swords what trials do you burden me? No trial I can not face. Remember the code! Honor the code! Live for the code! Bring no shame to the code!
Looking at the coward who betrayed the faith Bollwerk will disarm him and then offer to pray with him. He than hands him his dagger and offers to be his second!
"By the code of Iomedea, you have failed the lady! You brought shame to the crusade, you have broken the faith, you wanted to slay innocent people. As military commander of this force I will accept the responsibility of judging you. My verdict will be on my conscience!
I judge you guilty!
You say you were taken by madness. So I will be lenient and you have the chance to redeem your honor!"
"Ah, you will not regret this, my Lord. I will show you that I mean to be worthy!" Chaleb, says, rising to his feet. He looks with some consternation as Bollwerk takes his mace. "Do you think that is a good idea my Lord? After all, the streets are still teeming with demons and foul cultists...
He is cut of by a scream. It is the older librarian. "NO! He tried to kill us! Burn us alive so that he would be noticed! Noticed by the vile things he said! 'Might as well be on the winning side', he said! Kill him!"
Just then, Aravshnial comes in, led by Anevia, with Horgus behind them. He is recognized immediately by the surviving librarians, who rush over to greet him with unabated enthusiasm. Snippets of their excited voices can be heard...
"So glad to see you, lord!"
"What happened, Lord?"
"No, they are all dead. A horrible creature, it was. Took all of the relics."
Farasha stands, dress dripping oil from where she has been kneeling to minister to the wounded. She stares at the fallen crusader with eerie calm.
Each of our gods has different viewpoints on what constitutes evil, and what sin requires what punishment. They are however all rather clear on the nature of evil and the responsibilities of their followers, being to destroy it wherever found. That you were not only so quick to change sides to what you perceived as the winning one, but went as far as to attempt such a heinous act as burning these poor people alive, is by far the sole needed demonstration to me of a heart black with sin and irredeemable
She pulls back her bow, arrow pointed at the ex-crusader's heart.
You are gravely mistaken Chaleb, our friend the Iomedean paladin was not offering you forgiveness, but rather the mercy of a quick and honourable death. The dagger is for you to open your own veins, and he stands as second so if you do the deed with honour he will end your suffering quickly.
she lets this sink in for a moment, then adds
We lack the luxury of time, so I will say only this now, I'll place this shaft in your heart if you haven't used that dagger in the next sixty seconds...
Bollwerk just grimly nods and pulls his old sword from the scabbard, leaving radiance sheathed at his side.
Chaleb looks from Farasha, to Bollwerk, to Kazul, and back to the rest in the ruined library, his eyes wild and desperate. His hands fidget with the dagger, and he opens his mouth as if to speak.
Suddenly, he lunges at Bollwerk, dagger flashing straight for the paladin's throat. Only a quick reflexive reaction from him prevents the thrust from piercing his neck. Still, Chaleb's attack cuts a red line across the right side of Bollwerk's face. With a scream, the ex-crusader bolts for the door.
Hoping this would not happen, but being prepared nevertheless, Bollwerk strikes.
"Good! Damn traitor."
Hooves, blade, and arrow finish the traitor Chaleb Sazomal.
The elder librarian, the one struck by Chaleb, walks over and kicks the body. "A death too good for him." She says, spitting on his corpse. She turns to you. "I am Fenna, assistant head librarian here at the Librarium. Thank you for saving us." All of the others leave the elf for a moment to come over to thank you.
Fenna goes over to the pile of books still against the ruined walls. Fishing for a moment, she pulls one out and brings it to you. "Here," she says, "it is all we have left to offer you as thanks."
Aravashnial speaks to Fenna and the others. 'Tell me, what was this 'creature' that took the relics?"
"The...creature that destroyed Blackwing was a horrific abomination - a man made entirely of worms, it was."
The elf stiffens and pales visibly at this news. He quickly recovers and questions them. "What else can you tell us of recent events?"
"Quednys Orlun was up at the Cathedral, Lord. We haven't heard from him, so it's possible he's still alive. Much else we can't say. We've been locked up in here until this one," she points at Sjurd, "and that one," she kicks the body again, "came in."
Aravashnial turns to you. "Quednys was the head of my order, the Riftwardens. I see no reason to keep secrets from you now. This library was the secret headquarters of the Riftwardens. It is apparent that our enemy knew this. The creature they speak of is a...man...named Xanthir Vang. He is a being of great power, and the nemesis of the Riftwardens." He looks around. "I will stay here. I am the last of my order, and I am needed here. Please, if you can, find Quednys and tell him what has transpired."
"We will But we have to press on. I respect your decision, but I am not sure it is wise. If anyone wants to join the fight to free Kenebras, we would gladly accept your help! Kazul, please check the dead for anything useful and then we drag them out and around the corner. Maybe that will help those who stay a bit longer in staying safe."
We understand Aravashnial, protecting your order is what you must focus on now. We can only hope that we can call on you in the future when the time comes for us to take back Kenabras
she claps the elf on the shoulder
For now our paths must diverge, Desna smile on you until we meet again
she smiles, then heads out the door, ready to move on.
Kazul searches the dead tieflings and crusader for treasure.
The dark skies greet you as you return to the streets of the ruined city. Overhead, the heavy clouds roil with anger. Thunder rumbles away west of the Worldwound...
- J = Horgus's Manor
- K = Anevia's house
- L = Topaz Solutions
- M = Nyserian Manor
- N = Tower of Estrod
Staring at pile of ruined stone, tumbled down into a yawning trough...
You sruggled through this part of Kenabres, the buildings of the city more and more ruined as you got close the massive gulf carved through the city. Something...something big...moved through Kenabres here, leaving a canyon 40' deep and lined with rubble.
Whatever Nyserian manor was, it's no longer here. It's certain that no one could have survived whatever it was that crashed through here. Horgus blanches as he looks down. "By the gods..." he mutters. Seeing you looking at him, he turns.
"Hermmmm. Well. The man who lived here, Kando Nyserian, was an associate of mine. A business associate!" He is quick to point out, as he looks at you. "Just a business associate. He borrowed money from me to buy...well..to buy....something..." He trails off, embarrassed.