"Do go ahead," says Sir Ilivan to Silgil.
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Silgil nods at him and begins. In a gruff non-nonsense voice he reports their mission and the encounter.
"We were sent because we heard that Fort Portolmaeus was attacked and suspected that it was only part of a larger offensive due to the recent attacks on the wardstones. It was or job to scout the line to see if it has been breached elsewhere. "
"We can tell you that it has been. We had a run in with some demons and some of us did not make it. We were instructed to return to Nerosyan after obtaining the status of the fort. Actually, the exact phrase was to 'assess' the status of the fort so we would appreciate it if you showed us."
His lips grow tight as he refrains from embellishing the story or even relating what a disaster it was. Just the facts.
"Demons attacked last night," says Sir Morgan. "You should speak to our commander."
He leads you to the drawbridge. A soldier peers over a battlement and quietly stares at you.
After a moment, the garrison lowers the drawbridge and raises a portcullis.
A handful of soldiers lead you through a narrow zig-zag tunnel to the central courtyard.
The fort’s central building sits squat in its center, an impressive, monolithic edifice with few openings. A number of young stable boys come out from a side building to care for your mounts, quartering them in the stables until you return.
You are led into the central building to meet Commander Manaria Wardroxan.
Standing at the bottom of a tall, amphitheater-like chamber carved into the bedrock the fort is built upon, she worriedly regards the fort’s Wardstone, a massive menhir 30 feet high that pulses slowly with dull purple light and emits a low buzzing sound.
Commander Wardroxan relates the previous night’s events with obvious regret. "The demons attacked in the dead of night, a mixed group of dretches and schirs led by a terrifying brimorak, a creature of horn, claw, and fire. The wardstone had been buzzing like it is now, and it didn’t seem to stop them. They captured a scout patrol alive and staked them out on the ground in front of the fort. There they tortured them close enough for us to hear. I am ashamed to say that we deliberated on whether we had the strength to retaliate, but as the screaming and begging continued, I sent our cavalry to put at end to the suffering."
She sighs heavily before continuing, "Of course it was a trap. A group of schirs wielding halberds met our cavalry and wasted no time in dragging them from their horses. The dretches then overwhelmed them with sheer numbers, clubbing them into submission. They slaughtered the horses and dragged off the soldiers while we looked on helplessly from behind the fort’s wall. I sent out another party after that, but most of the demons had already withdrawn with our captured men."
"I made a tactical error and it cost the lives of some of my men, while others are captive."
"Can you help us rescue the captured soldiers? Our lookout reported seeing the chained cavalrymen heading westward into the Worldwound a mile north of here, surrounded by a small group of guards—no more than a half dozen strong. I can lend you some supplies from our armory."
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Silgil does not take long to consider.
"It would be foolish to try, you know. I vote against it. But if we do do this, take a moment to use some protective magic before charging in. I could give you greater strength and if there is a scroll of some kind of enhancement, do that. Or I could speed you all up before you enter battle or pick a different spell from my spellbook. These things are too dangerous to charge in without preparation."
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"I made a tactical error and it cost the lives of some of my men, while others are captive."
Ny'a lifts her head, the first light against her sullen gloom glimmering on her face. If this Captain, who fights demons every day, can make a mistake like I did... maybe mine wasn't so bad. Maybe we can make some good of this. She looks to her companions, and listens as they speak. "We made a mistake out there, and our companions paid. We can undo that here, I think, but Silgil, you're right. We have to be better prepared." She turns to the Captain. "We'll need more resources. Whether you share them or we buy them... what do you have available?"
"I can give you two healing potions , three protection potions , ten flasks of holy water, and any weapons you might need .
I can also open our limited records to you, to research the demons. We know what you will be up against."
Dretches have DR 5/cold iron or good. They are immune to electricity and poison, and resistant to acid, cold, and fire. They have no SR.
Schir demons have the same resistances, but are additionally immune to disease and have some SR.
Brimorak demons (of which there was just one, the leader) have DR 5/cold iron or good. They are immune to electricity and fire and have some SR. They resist acid and cold, but are simultaneously vulnerable to cold.
They have a special defense, boiling blood; any creature that damages a brimorak with a non-reach slashing or piercing melee weapon is sprayed with its blood, taking some minor fire damage on each successful hit.
Additionally, their sulfurous breath is a defense to a degree. Any foe adjacent to them must make a DC 17 Fortitude save (poison effect) or be sickened. A successful save grants immunity for 24 hours.
All of the demons will take damage from holy water.
There is no opportunity to buy additional items, but I believe you can spend Prestige Points to acquire items. However, the cost is increased by 5 for not being in a settlement of 5,000 residents or more. So it would be 6 PP for a 150-gp item, or 7 PP for a 750-gp item.
The commander leaves to attend to other matters.
"This is a fool’s errand," growls Sir Ilivan, "an ill-conceived endeavor dreamt up by an inexperienced commander wracked with guilt."
There's an odd tone in his voice... perhaps a hint of doubt. But he continues, "The cavalrymen are surely already beyond help, and most likely have already been killed for food or sport. Or maybe it's another trap. Why risk it? Why should I bother?"
That isn't entirely a rhetorical answer. He seems at least a bit curious in your response.
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"Sir Ilvan, I can't tell you the guilt I feel over what happened on our way here. I was a voice--perhaps the voice--that guided us down that path, and it was a disaster. But they won't--can't--all be disasters. Those were villagers; these are warriors. We are going into this knowing what we're getting into; we were blind to the real threat before. With good planning, we'll be much better equipped for success, and those good soldiers may have learned--may be learning--something that we can use in the greater fight." Ny'a shakes her head, but looks up at Sir Ilvan, making strong eye contact. "I can't make you go with us, but our chance of success goes up dramatically if you do."
Sir Ilivan scowls at Pau. "The mission is to assess the damage here, not to run into a trap. Those men are lost." He seems to be trying to convince himself of this.
He stares blankly at Silgil.
To Wraith, he replies, "I have been fighting the demons of the Worldwound for SEVENTEEN YEARS and I will not yield. I have lost more comrades that I can count. I have seen unimaginable carnage and depravity.
But I will carry out the mission. Every time. And through righteous service to Iomedae, my... my past crimes... will be forgiven." There is a quaver in his voice at this part.
Finally, Ny'a chimes in. "Very well. Perhaps these soldiers' lives are worth the risk. Rescuing them may increase our chances of successfully containing the demons. It is tactically risky but strategically advantageous. I will join you." Despite his cold and analytical words, you sense that he might actually care about the missing soldiers, though he cannot admit it.
-----
Sir Morgan gives you a small map that marks a shallow ford across the West Sellen River where you can cross with your mounts. From there it’s quite easy to pick up the kidnapped soldiers’ trail, leading directly west into the Worldwound.
Wraith can tell not only which way the trail goes, but who made it. She identifies the tracks of eight humans, two dretches, and one set of small scorched hoof-prints that must belong to the Brimorak. Based on the spacing of the prints and the speed you are moving, Wraith estimates you will catch them in about an hour.
As you cross into the Worldwound, the corruption is evident. Plant life is either devastated or mutated. The trail leads over a small hill, and on the way down you find yourselves in a cloud of sickly green pollen. It settles on your skin and quickly germinates, miniscule tendrils reaching into you...
Ny'a's dog growls.
Sir Ilivan stops his horse and slides off his saddle to stand on the ground, looking distracted.
Silgil's horse is increasingly agitated, as is Ny'a's dog.
Sir Ilivan falls to the ground in a fetal position, clutching his head and muttering "No... no... not again..."
Sir Ilivan remains on the ground, paralyzed with fear.
Silgil's horse settles down.
However, Ny'a's poor dog is now foaming at the mouth, gnashing his teeth and growling, and seeming about to attack.
Through the pollen, the evil of this realm has affected his mind...
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Ny'a dismounts, and kneels down by her dog. Strangely--or perhaps not so strangely?--she starts barking at the dog, and it sounds quite authentic.
"What's going on, buddy? I promise you everything is going to be okay. We're in a strange place, and strange magic is trying to make you frenzy... but that's all it is. Strange magic. What you're feeling right now isn't real, and I need you to hold it together. This is really important; can you do that? Talk to me, buddy. It's me, Ny'a, your friend!"
While she communicates with her dog, she places a hand on gently on its shoulder and send Iomedae's healing power into the creature.
Ny'a can tell that her dog is under a magical compulsion effect. Protection from Evil might suppress it.
Sir Ilivan does not show any sign of hostility or aggression.
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"Protection from evil! Please tell me somebody has that spell; I think it will relieve my poor little doggo!" In the meantime, Ny'a grabs her backpack and fishes around inside for her cold weather outfit. Grabbing the thick vest, she begins wrapping it around her forearm, to have something to offer the dog to bite on--hopefully instead of her own flesh.
Ny'a gets the vest around her arm and shoves it into the dog's mouth. It clamps down, but the other party members are able to administer the potion through the sides of the dog's mouth as it shifts for a better grip.
With a whimper, it calms down. It crouches with its tail between its legs and looks at Ny'a. It makes a few whining sounds.
Meanwhile, Sir Ilivan continues to lie on the ground clutching his head and mumbling. He seems in a different condition than the dog had been.
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Silgil will sprinkle one of the holy waters they were given on Sir Iliven. Speaking of which Silgil took 4 of the flasks of holy water they were offered and stuffed them in his bag of holding, and now there are three. That leaves 2 CMW, 3 Shield of Faith (CL 6th), and six flasks of holy water for the rest of you to distribute.
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Ny'a, grateful to see Silgil attending to Sir Ilvan, rubs her dog's head vigorously.
"You're a good boy. You didn't do anything wrong; Ny'a loves you!"
Patting the dog on the head one more time she stands. "Thank you, Pau." She looks on Sir Ilvan with interest, hoping to see that the holy water is having an effect.
The holy water does not seem to cure Sir Ilivan's condition. It does change his mumbling a bit.
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"Whatever this is, it's attacking his memory more than enchanting him now." She approaches, and begins trying to sooth the man. "Sir Ilvan! We're here, and we can help. Focus on my voice. What's happening isn't real, it's just in your mind. Focus on my voice; you'll be okay! Iomedae watches over you; I'm here for you."
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"Look. We are all OK. Nobody went berserk and we are all coping. It's OK."
I really, really hate this place. Messing with a guys body is one thing, but making folks mad, that's just plain evil.