Wrath of the Righteous - Sword of Valor IC

[Diachronos]

Arios Heartshield and his companions have succeeded in driving back the demonic assault on the city of Kenabres, and marched north to retake the city of Drezen from the forces of the Worldwound. After a long, arduous journey, their army has reached Drezen, and driven the enemy back to the city's Citadel.

Arios and his comrades have begun to infiltrate the keep to locate the banner known as the Sword of Valor, and to defeat its leaders so that the city can be reclaimed for good.

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios has just healed his allies after a fierce battle with Stevie Vrock, sponsored by Vrock and Roll Records. He leads his team through an open hallway past some rubble, looking to explore the rest of this floor with his trusty map.

[Diachronos]

The passage leads into a long, partially-collapsed hallway. A door lies at the northern end, with two sets of double doors on the west wall and three doors on the east wall.

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios consults the map he found to try and determine which path will lead him to the next floor.

[Diachronos]

There's only one floor to the citadel according to the map. The doors on the east side of the hall lead toward one of the siege weapon platforms, while the western doors lead toward the entry to the dungeons that Jestak had pointed out.

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios pushes open the western door. "Voren, do you know anything about this Staunton person that Jestak was raving about earlier?"

[Diachronos]

"Well, if I had to guess, it'd be Staunton Vhane, the same jackass who betrayed Drezen and helped the demons conquer it."

As the door swings open, there's a sound like hooves scraping on stone, and Arios finds himself staring down two demonic minotaurs in the room.

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios blinks and looks around. "...This isn't the bathroom!" he declares. "Sorry for disturbing you fine gentlemen. I don't suppose you might be willing to negotiate?"

[Diachronos]

The minotaurs growl and charge at him!

Minotaur 1:
Hit: [roll0]/[roll1]
Damage: [roll2]/[roll3]
Minotaur 2:
Hit: [roll4]/[roll5]
Damage: [roll6]/[roll7]

[NeoSeraphi]

The minotaurs are caught off guard by Arios's declaration of peace, and their attacks don't even come near him.

Arios grips his blade. "I've got the one on the left. Jestak, cover my back and take the one on the right!"

He attacks the left minotaur.

Attack: [roll0]/[roll1]
[roll2]/[roll3]

[roll4]/[roll5]
[roll6]/[roll7]

[Diachronos]

Jestak roars and launches herself at the minotaur on the right.
Power Attack
Hit 1: [roll0]/[roll1]
Damage: [roll2]/[roll3]
Hit 2: [roll4]/[roll5]
Damage: [roll6]/[roll7]


The minotaurs retaliate!

Minotaur 1, attacking Arios
Axe 1: [roll8]/[roll9]
Damage: [roll10]/[roll11]
Axe 2: [roll12]/[roll13]
Damage: [roll14]/[roll15]
Bite: [roll16]/[roll17]
Damage: [roll18]/[roll19]
Gore: [roll20]/[roll21]
Damage: [roll22]/[roll23]

Minotaur 2, attacking Jestak
Axe 1: [roll24]/[roll25]
Damage: [roll26]/[roll27]
Axe 2: [roll28]/[roll29]
Damage: [roll30]/[roll31]
Bite: [roll32]/[roll33]
Damage: [roll34]/[roll35]
Gore: [roll36]/[roll37]
Damage: [roll38]/[roll39]

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios deflects all incoming attacks as Jestak's second blow eviscerates the creature in front of her.

"Nissa, supporting fire!" he calls, before stabbing the monster in the chest.

[roll0]/[roll1]
[roll2]/[roll3]

[roll4]/[roll5]
[roll6]/[roll7]

[Diachronos]

Arios finishes off the minotaur in front of him, while Nissa puts an arrow into the chest of the other minotaur, finishing it off.

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios relaxes as the two creatures fall down. "Good. Now, back to what we were discussing. Anything specific you can tell me about Staunton, Voren? Whatever you know may be helpful in the coming negotiations."

He searches the minotaurs for usable equipment.

[Diachronos]

"I don't know much other than what I've heard around Kenabres, and what we saw in that vision the wardstone gave us. Irabeth chased him down but failed to capture him."

The minotaurs have little of value, just a pair of greataxes that are too large for anyone in the party to wield.

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios shakes his head. "Something to worry about another day then. Let's go."

He motions for the group to follow him as he leads them onward past the minotaurs towards the room Jestak had mentioned earlier.

[Diachronos]

Arios opens the room on the door's eastern side, and finds what looks like a small office. An array of maps depicting the Worldwound and its border nations adorn the walls of this large chamber. A dwarf is seated at a table by the north wall, and three babaus appear to be standing guard over him. The demons turn when the door opens.

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios looks surprised to find yet more people on the other side of a door. He glances at Voren in annoyance. "You are the worst scout ever."

Drawing Radiance he looks up at the dwarf. "Look, I'm a paladin of Iomedae and I'm here for the Sword of Valor and Staunton's head. You're not going to survive a brawl with us, and you're outnumbered, so why don't you all just clear out of here and I'll forget I saw you."

Intimidate: [roll0]

[Diachronos]

"Kind of hard to scout when you keep wanting to ask me things..."

The dwarf sighs and stands up. "I'm afraid we won't be going anywhere. Really, it is for the best that the five of you leave Drezen before anything unseemly happens to you."

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios shakes his head. "Well, I warned you."

His sword starts to glow as he leaps forward.

Smite Evil as a swift on the dwarf

Attack: [roll0]/[roll1]
[roll2]/[roll3]

[Diachronos]

The dwarf grunts in pain and steps back. "You're making a mistake, crusader!" He points at Arios and utters a few words.
Arios needs to make a DC 16 Fortitude save to avoid being blinded.

The demons leap onto Arios!
Babaus 1 and 2 move to flank Arios with their spears. Babau 3 steps in front of the dwarf and attacks with its bite.
Babau 1:
Hit: [roll0]/[roll1]
Damage: [roll2]/[roll3]
Sneak Attack: [roll4]
Babau 2:
Hit: [roll5]/[roll6]
Damage: [roll7]/[roll8]
Sneak Attack: [roll9]
Babau 3:
Hit: [roll10]/[roll11]
Damage: [roll12]

"You're the one making the mistake, Joran!" Jestak charges at the demon on Arios' left, while Voren throws his starknife at the one on the right. Nissa fires at the demon in front of him, while Rachel attempts to weaken the dwarf.

Jestakvs Babau 1: [roll13]/[roll]
Damage: [roll14]/[roll15]

Voren: Swift action to mark the demons on Arios' right and in front of him, then using Startoss Comet to hit them both.
Hit on Babau 2: [roll16]/[roll17]
Damage: [roll18]/[roll19]
Hit on Babau 3: [roll20]/[roll21]
Damage: [roll22]/[roll23]

Nissa: Mythic Rapid Shot, taking 2 extra attacks and a -2 on attack rolls this round. Starting with Babau 2, then 3 if 2 goes down, then 1 if 3 drops
Hit 1: [roll24]/[roll25]
Damage: [roll26]/[roll27]
Hit 2: [roll28]/[roll29]
Damage: [roll30]/[roll31]
Hit 3: [roll32]/[roll33]
Damage: [roll34]/[roll35]
Hit 4: [roll36]/[roll37]
Damage: [roll38]/[roll39]

Rachel: Casting enervation.
Hit: [roll40]/[roll41]
Damage: [roll42]/[roll43] negative levels

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios wipes the magic away from his eyes and glares at the two demons surrounding him.

"Get out of my way!"

He slices the demon to his left.

[roll0]/[roll1]
[roll2]/[roll3]

[roll4]/[roll5]
[roll6]/[roll7]

[Diachronos]

The demon is hurting, but still up; the same can't be said for his ally to Arios' right. The dwarf draws a hammer from his belt as the demons continue attacking Arios and Jestak.
Babau 1: Dropping its spear and attacking Jestak
Bite: [roll0]/[roll1]
Damage: [roll2]/[roll3]
Claw: [roll4]/[roll5]
Damage: [roll6]/[roll7]
Claw: [roll8]/[roll9]
Damage: [roll10]/[roll11]

Babau 3: Attacking Arios
Bite: [roll12]/[roll13]
Damage: [roll14]/[roll15]
Claw: [roll16]/[roll17]
Damage: [roll18]/[roll19]
Claw: [roll20]/[roll21]
Damage: [roll22]/[roll23]


Arios' companions launch another volley of blows.
Jestak: Continuing to attack Babau 1
Hit: [roll24]/[roll25]
Damage: [roll26]/[roll27]
Hit: [roll28]/[roll29]
Damage: [roll30]/[roll31]

Voren: Attacking Babau 3
Hit: [roll32]/[roll33]
Damage: [roll34]/[roll35]
Hit: [roll36]/[roll37]
Damage: [roll38]/[roll39]

Nissa focuses on the demon in front of Arios. Mythic Rapid Shot, 2 extra attacks at -2
Hit 1: [roll40]/[roll41]
Damage: [roll42]/[roll43]
Hit 2: [roll44]/[roll45]
Damage: [roll46]/[roll47]
Hit 3: [roll48]/[roll49]
Damage: [roll50]/[roll51]
Hit 4: [roll52]/[roll53]
Damage: [roll54]/[roll55]

Rachel: Sonic Blast on Joran
Hit: [roll56]/[roll57]
Damage: [roll58]/[roll59]
Fortitude save for half and to avoid being deafened, DC 19: [roll]1d20+11
The demons are slain by the assault, and Joran promptly throws down his hammer and shield. "W-wait! I surrender!"

The door to the south flies open, and another dwarf enters, flanked by a pair of demonic minotaurs. Arios and the others immediately identify him as Staunton Vhane, the dwarf they'd seen in their vision when the wardstone fragment was destroyed. "You've always been a cowardly worm, Joran..."

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios turns to Staunton with a glare. "We finally meet. I'm going to enjoy putting you in a cast, scum. You and I are going to fight here, and you will pay for your treachery with your life!"

[Diachronos]

Staunton laughs. "I could say the same for you, little boy. You've been far too much of a thorn in my side lately, you lot and that half-orc bitch." He draws a sinister-looking glaive. "Let's see just how much the power of the wardstones will help you!"

The minotaurs start to step forward, and another babau appears behind Arios!

[NeoSeraphi]

"Little boy?" Arios repeats, and then chuckles. "Sorry. I forgot you and I haven't been formally introduced."

He reaches up with both hands and removes his helmet, letting it fall to the ground.

"I am...the white void. I am the cold steel. I am the just sword."

He raises Radiance as it starts to glow. "With blade in hand, shall I reap the sins of this world and cleanse it in the fires of destruction! I am Arios. The end has come!"

He charges forward!

Smite Evil, charging at Staunton

[roll0]/[roll1]
[roll2]/[roll3]

[Diachronos]

Arios catches the dwarf off-guard and lands a solid blow on him. Staunton snarls and steps back, casting a warding spell before immediately striking back. "Deskari will consume your soul!"
Casting a spell, then Sudden strike
Hit: [roll0] or [roll1], whichever is higher
Crit confirm: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]/[roll4]
If he crits, making a ranged touch attack against Nissa as a free action
Hit: [roll5]/[roll6]
If he hits, Nissa is sickened for two rounds, and blinded for two rounds if the attack is a critical


"Kill the others!" The minotaurs charge at Nissa and Rachel, while the babau goes after Voren.

Minotaur 1: Charging Nissa
Hit: [roll7]/[roll8]
Damage: [roll9]/[roll10]
Minotaur 2: Charging Rachel
Hit: [roll11]/[roll12]
Damage: [roll13]/[roll14]
Babau: Charging Voren
Hit: [roll15]/[roll16]
Damage: [roll17]/[roll18]


Rachel begins singing and steps away from the minotaur that had attacked her. Jestak charges in to put herself between Rachel and the minotaur, while Nissa invokes Calistria's judgment and steps back to fire on the minotaur in front of her. Voren turns on the babau.
Rachel: Inspire courage +2
Jestak: Rage!
Hit: [roll19]/[roll20]
Damage: [roll21]/[roll22]

Nissa: Activating destruction (+3 damage) and healing (fast healing 3) judgements. Mythic Rapid Shot, 2 extra attacks
Hit 1: [roll23]/[roll24]
Damage: [roll25]/[roll26]
Hit 2: [roll27]/[roll28]
Damage: [roll29]/[roll30]
Hit 3: [roll31]/[roll32]
Damage: [roll33]/[roll34]
Hit 4: [roll35]/[roll36]
Damage: [roll37]/[roll38]

Voren: Marking the babau and Staunton. 5' step away then attacking
Hit 1: [roll39]/[roll40]
Damage: [roll41]/[roll42]
Hit 2: Hit 1: [roll43]/[roll44]
Damage: [roll45]/[roll46]

The minotaur attacking Nissa collapses in a gurgling heap.

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios roars. "Everyone, with me! Kill him!" he yells.

Spending a point of mythic power as a swift action. Everyone gains the benefit of his Smite against Staunton. +4 to hit, +4 deflection to AC, +8 damage, ignore all damage reduction

[roll0]/[roll1]
[roll2]/[roll3]

[roll4]/[roll5]
[roll6]/[roll7]

[Diachronos]

Staunton knocks Arios' second blow aside. "If I die here, I'm taking you with me!" He launches himself at Arios in a flurry of attacks.
Sudden strike
Hit: [roll0] or [roll1], whichever is higher
Crit confirm: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]/[roll4]
Hit: [roll5]/[roll6]
Damage: [roll7]/[roll8]
Hit: Hit: [roll9]/[roll10]
Damage: [roll11]/[roll12]
If he crits, making a ranged touch attack against Nissa as a free action
Hit: [roll13]/[roll14]
If he hits, Nissa is sickened for two rounds, and blinded for two rounds if the attack is a critical


The remaining minotaur continues to tangle with Jestak as the babau attacks Voren, leaving Rachel and Nissa free to support Arios.

Minotaur 2:
Hit: [roll15]/[roll16]
Damage: [roll17]/[roll18]
Babau: Attacking Voren
Hit: [roll19]/[roll20]
Damage: [roll21]/[roll22]

Rachel: intensified snowball, burning an arcane reservoir point to increase the caster level by 2
Hit: [roll23]/[roll24]
Damage: [roll25]/[roll26]

Jestak: Rage!
Hit: [roll27]/[roll28]
Damage: [roll29]/[roll30]
Hit: [roll31]/[roll32]
Damage: [roll33]/[roll34]

Nissa: Swift action to change healing judgment into justice judgment (+2 attack). Mythic Rapid Shot, 2 extra attacks
Hit 1: [roll35]/[roll36]
Damage: [roll37]/[roll38]
Hit 2: [roll39]/[roll40]
Damage: [roll41]/[roll42]
Hit 3: [roll43]/[roll44]
Damage: [roll45]/[roll46]
Hit 4: [roll47]/[roll48]
Damage: [roll49]/[roll50]

Voren: 5' step away then attacking the babau
Hit 1: [roll51]/[roll52]
Damage: [roll53]/[roll54]
Hit 2: Hit 1: [roll55]/[roll56]
Damage: [roll57]/[roll58]

Jestak cleaves the minotaur in two. Staunton weathers Rachel's spell and knocks aside Nissa's second shot, but the third arrow buries itself into his throat and he collapses to the ground. Voren sends the babau back to the Abyss with a couple of sharp jabs to its chest.

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios leaps onto the minotaur.

[roll0]/[roll1]
[roll2]/[roll3]

[Diachronos]

The minotaur goes down.

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios pants and kills the demon, before tying Staunton up and disarming him. "We won't kill your brother," he tells Joran, "but that kindness only lasts as long as you remain peaceful."

[Diachronos]

Joran shrugs as he picks up his hammer and returns it to the loop on his belt. "Eh... bastard was planning to have me killed anyway." He holds up the book he'd been studying when they arrived; Arios recognizes it as a text of prayers to the dwarven god Droskar. "He never really cared for my faith in The Dark Smith over Deskari."

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios nods. "The Sword of Valor. Where is it?"

[Diachronos]

"It's in the dungeons below. I've been to most of the rooms down there, but I never saw it, so it's likely in the deepest parts of the dungeon. Probably the same place they were keeping that succubus prisoner."

Jestak hefts her sword as she looks down at Staunton's unconscious form. "He's just going to try to escape or kill himself if we capture him. Want me to just finish him off now and save you the headache?"

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios shakes his head. "No. I want you to keep an eye on him. If he tries to escape or kill himself, knock him unconscious again. He won't be getting away from us until Irabeth has a chance to speak to him herself."

He turns to Voren and Nissa. "I want the two of you to look around the area and find any and all possible routes to the dungeon. Block off all except the one we plan to use, and search any hidden rooms that are marked on the map as well. We will rest for tonight."

[Diachronos]

Jestak frowns, but puts her sword away.

Joran shakes his head and points to a set of double doors at the northeast end of the room. "The dungeon's through there. It used to be just an old storeroom. As far as other ways out, there aren't any unless you find some way to teleport or burrow through solid stone."

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios nods. "Right. Just the loot then. The rest of us will stay here, set up camp, and keep guard."

[Diachronos]

Nissa and Voren both nod and head out to scout the area, while Rachel looks over the maps displayed in the office. There's also the room that Staunton had emerged from that hasn't been examined.

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios decides to examine the unsearched room himself.

Perception: [roll0]

[Diachronos]

The room appears to be a set of officer's quarters. Rich appointments of fine furniture and plush carpet decorate this oddly shaped chamber. A mahogany desk with several bookshelves occupies the southeast corner, while expansive liquor cabinets follow the curving northern wall. Three doors lead south and west. In the liquor cabinets, there are a total of 20 bottles of potent dwarven ale.

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios opens the desk, checks the shelves for any titles that interest him, and glances at the map to see if any doors lead to areas he wants to explore.

[Diachronos]

The two south doors have little of interest behind them, but the same can't be said of the west room. This spacious bedroom is immaculate to the point of spotlessness. The bed sheets are tight against the mattress, and no splinters mar the floor near the well-used sparring dummy in one corner, despite its obvious heavy use. An inkwell, a blotter, and a black quill sit atop an otherwise bare desk, with a three-legged stool pushed out of the way underneath. A single large chest sits at the foot of the bed.

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios's eyes light up and he walks over to the chest with a grin. "Come to papa..." He places his boot on the lid and kicks forward to push it open.

[Diachronos]

The chest doesn't open. It appears to be locked.

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios frowns. He goes back and searches Staunton for a key of some kind.

[Diachronos]

Arios finds a key on Staunton, as well as a myriad of special items that may come in handy later: his spiked armor, a belt, a headband, an amulet, a wand, a throwing axe, and his glaive, as well as 68 gold.

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios asks Rachel to identify all of the gear and heads back to the bedroom to open up the chest.

[Diachronos]

Rachel gets to work identifying everything while Arios loots the chest. Inside are 633 copper, 1,427 silver, 5,786 gold, 376 platinum, nine garnets worth 100 gp each, a pearl, a rod, a scroll, a set of stone-carved dwarven figurines worth 600 gp, an expensive pair of vases worth 250 gp each, a silver coffer worth 350 gp, a wand, and three vials of some kind of liquid. On top of all that is a journal.

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios sighs and loots the entire chest. He stands up. "So these are the spoils of treachery. ...To think, I can count the value of his loyalty down to the last copper. What a disgraceful man, to sell out Drezen like he did." He closes the chest and walks back into the other room. "Here."

Arios splits the money evenly in half, and hands half of it to Joran. "He's your family, so I assume at least some of this money belongs to you. You did the right thing in the end, so I won't be taking anything from you."

[Diachronos]

Joran raises an eyebrow. "What are you talking about? That's all junk he's been gathering over the past year. I've been workin' the corruption forge."

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios shrugs. "As you wish." He divides the treasure into fives and hands it off to everyone else.

Sitting down, Arios cracks open the journal and begins to read.

[Diachronos]

The journal records events from Staunton's life, recited from his childhood in the Five Kings Mountains to his time spent in the First Mendevian Crusade searching for the lost Sky Citadel of Jormurdun, on to his betrayal of Drezen and his time spent serving Deskari and Baphomet alike. Among it is the revelation of the true events leading to Drezen's fall just before the Second Crusade began.

When a second invasion of demons, much larger than what the crusaders had faced in the First Crusade, surged forth from the Worldwound in 4636 AR, the crusaders rallied again to the fight. The Sword of Valor remained in Drezen's walls, to protect the citadel and the city that had formed around it, and its presence repelled several attacks over the course of the next 2 years. But in 4638 AR, Staunton Vhane, a loyal but arrogant crusader at the time, fell under the influence of what he believed to be a warrior-princess from Kyonin. In fact, this elven beauty was a disguised glabrezu named Jerribeth, who convinced Staunton that Drezen was adequately protected, and that the Sword of Valor needed to be carried into battle once again. Believing that the leaders of Drezen were cowards who hid behind the magical banner for their own personal safety, Staunton stole the Sword of Valor and brought it out of the city to Jerribeth, who had promised to bring it to the front lines. But when Staunton delivered it, she revealed her true form after accepting the gift, and made Staunton watch as the marilith Aponavicius led her army into the city and took it in a single ruinous assault. Thousands died that night in Drezen, and many more died in the weeks to come as they fled the fallen city into the inhospitable wilds. Staunton was the first and last of that night's victims, for as the battle
ended, he was brought before Aponavicius herself and given a choice-death or servitude. Staunton chose the latter. The loss of Drezen triggered the official start of the Second Crusade, but this time the demons were better organized, more numerous, and more powerful. The crusaders did their best, but in the end, they were forced to abandon Drezen and its holdings as they raised the wardstones along the river banks bordering lost Sarkoris.

Additionally, the journal holds other bits of useful information.
A list of dozens of sacred and holy weapons and armor Staunton and his brother have successfully tainted through the use of the corruption forge in the dungeons.
• A description of the Sword of Valor, including Staunton's frustration over Aponavicius's desire to keep it as a mere trophy and not to attempt the banner's corruption.
• Several detailed pages of how he hopes to someday torture Irabeth for "ruining nearly everything" when she confronted him almost a year ago in Kenabres.
• Notes on the shadow demon Eustoyriax, an unusually powerful shadow demon who came to Drezen a few weeks after Staunton fled here from Kenabres. The shadow demon arrived in the possessed body of a crusader named Maranse (a man the diary records as now being long dead after having been turned over to the succubus Kiranda), and bore gifts from a place called the Ivory Sanctum - five elixirs of distilled power brewed from powdered Nahyndrian crystal. The notes explain how Staunton volunteered to take one of the elixirs to test its strength before Aponavicius used one, and of the powers the elixir unlocked in him. The notes go on to describe the grisly deaths the elixirs inflicted on the dragon and xacarba servants Aponavicius tested them on, and that only the chimera Soltengrebbe survived the transformation. The notes conclude by revealing that the shadow demon Eustoyriax remains here in a chamber below the citadel, where Aponavicius has placed him in charge of protecting the Sword of Valor.
• The Ivory Sanctum is the central stronghold of the Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth in the Worldwound, a fortress led by a man named Xanthir Vang who also happens to be the regional leader of the Blackflame Adepts. Staunton records his sole meeting with Xanthir Vang, and indicates he would rather not meet him again - apparently something about the man particularly revolted the antipaladin.
• Finally, Staunton mentions a special prisoner who's been kept in the Drezen dungeons - a succubus by the name of Aureshalae who was captured by Aponavicius. Staunton knows the succubus is some sort of Abyssal heretic and that the marilith wanted her kept prisoner until a special oubliette in the Rasping Rifts on the Abyss was ready for her. The fact that the succubus escaped not long after Aponavicius left Drezen in Staunton's hands is a major point of worry for the dwarf. He's sent several minions out into the Worldwound to track her, noting that her loss of certain demonic abilities is the one saving grace and hoping her inability to teleport or become ethereal will allow his agents to find her and return her to Drezen before Aponavicius finds out she's managed to flee into the wilds of the Wounded Lands. The final note in the diary talks of how he hired an annis hag cultist of Sifkesh to track her down as well, and that if this final attempt fails, he intends to seek out Arueshalae himself once "this matter with the so-called heroes of Kenabres is settled."

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios sighs as he reads. Idiot consumed by thoughts of glory and pride. Well, at least he had come to right these wrongs. The idea of an Abyssal heretic is incredibly interesting though...he will definitely need to meet this succubus once he heads to the dungeons in the morning.

For now, he waits for his scouts to return.

[Diachronos]

Rachel has finished identifying the items and stowing the numerous maps in the planning room by the time Nissa and Voren return.
* Pearl of power (2nd level)
* Rod of metal and mineral detection
* Scroll of divination
* Elixir of climbing
* Potion of neutralize poison
* Wand of nondetection (23 charges)
* +3 spiked full plate
* Headband of alluring charisma +2
* Belt of Mighty Constitution +4
* Amulet of natural armor +2
* +1 returning throwing axe
* "Soulshear" - an intelligent, Chaotic Evil +2 transformative glaive that can cast misdirection on itself 3/day and can summon a babau 1/day as if using summon monster V. It can also speak in Abyssal, Common, and Giant, and right now it's swearing up a storm over the group killing its creator.
* A dose of oil of life


"The west half of the citadel is clear. I found what was left of the citadel armory, and what was most likely that chimera's lair." She dumps out the contents of a sack, revealing a multitude of valuables and equipment.


She dumps all of this out of a bag of holding (type III):
* +1 flaming heavy crossbow
* 19 +2 magical beast bane arrows
* 50 +1 arrows
* Arrow of human slaying
* +2 breastplate
* +1 keen longsword
* +2 elven chain
* +1 ghost touch full plate
* efficient quiver
* Two javelins of lightning
* Adamantine battleaxe
* Masterwork composite longbow (Str +2)
* Masterwork flail
* Mithral heavy shield
* empty blessed book
* elemental gem (earth)
* One dose of silversheen
* One potion of lesser restoration
* One scroll of dimension door
* One scroll of move earth
* Small library of rare books that grant a +4 bonus on Knowledge (planes) checks when they are referenced (these two dozen books are worth a total of 2,000 gp)
* 3,438 copper, 1,319 silver, 7,753 gold, two pearls worth 500 gp each, three garnets worth 250 gp each, eight amethysts worth 100 gp each, 12 agates worth 50 gp each, an emerald-and-ivory scepter worth 4,000 gp, a silver candelabra worth 75 gp, a gold signet ring worth 50 gp (total value of 3,038 gp, 8sp, and 5 cp each after dividing it up 5 ways)

"We might have a problem, though... I found some evidence that there's a powerful priestess of Deskari here, and it looks like they're preparing for some kind of ritual down in the dungeons that will bring the whole city down."

Voren crosses his arms. "Well, if that's the case, it looks like they didn't invite the eastern half of the citadel to the party. There's more demons on the ramparts along the north and east. There's also a succubus masquerading as a human prisoner in the garrison over there."

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios nods. "Take me to the succubus," he says after Rachel treats his wounds. He would deal with the glaive later.

[Diachronos]

Rachel passes out a few of the healing potions that she's been holding onto.

3 potions of cure serious, Arios regains a total of [roll0] from them and from her casting cure serious


Voren leads the way back to where they'd fought the first pair of minotaurs, before heading through a room to the east and entering the north garrison quarters. Arios finds a man chained by the ankle to one of the bunks, with a set of manacles around his wrists.

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios smiles. "It's...Aureshalae, right?" he asks the man.

[Diachronos]

The man gives him a bewildered look. "Auresh-who? What are you talking about?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"Ah, forgive me. How rude of me to not introduce myself first."

He bows. "I am the white void. I am the cold steel. I am the just word. With blade in hand, shall I reap the sins of this world, and cleanse it in the fires of destruction! I am Arios. The end has come!...for Staunton."

[Diachronos]

"...Sh*t." The crusader vanishes, leaving the manacles and chain behind.

[NeoSeraphi]

"For the love of... she was chained up! Stupid spell-like abilities should have some somatic component! Nissa! Find her!"

[Diachronos]

Nissa waves her hand over her eyes, which begin to glow. She scans the room, before drawing her bow. "Sora, behind you!"
Kiranda: coming out of ethereal jaunt and stabbing Arios in the back
Hit: [roll0]/[roll1]
Damage: [roll2]/[roll3] plus [roll4] cold

Nissa: [roll5]/[roll6]
Damage: [roll7]/[roll8]

[NeoSeraphi]

The stab from behind strikes Arios's full plate and he smirks and turns around. "What a weak blade you brandish..."

He throws down his shield and grabs the prisoner by the neck.

Free action: drop all held items.
Grapple: [roll0], provoking AoO

[Diachronos]

The succubus twists away from his grip before repeatedly stabbing at him.

AoO: [roll0]/[roll1]
Damage: [roll2]/[roll3]
Hit 2: [roll4]/[roll5]
Damage: [roll6]/[roll7]
Hit 3: [roll8]/[roll9]
Damage: [roll10]/[roll11]


Nissa opens fire again, while Voren throws his starknife.

Nissa: Mythic Rapid Shot, one extra attack with no penalties
Hit 1: [roll12]/[roll13]
Damage: [roll14]/[roll15]
Hit 2: [roll16]/[roll17]
Damage: [roll18]/[roll19]
Hit 3: [roll20]/[roll21]
Damage: [roll22]/[roll23]

Voren: Swift action to mark her
Hit 1: [roll24]/[roll25]
Damage: [roll26]/[roll27]
Hit 2: [roll28]/[roll29]
Damage: [roll30]/[roll31]

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios takes the attacks and narrows his eyes. He picks up his sword. "I can see you consider me to be an enemy...I must dispel that rumor. I need to know your worth for myself, and I will trust no words other than those of the Inheritor Herself to tell me."

He motions for his comrades to stand down and raises Radiance. "Aureshalae, you stand accused of heresy against the Abyss and the demon gods who rule over you. As a crusader of Iomedae, I shall now pronounce judgment on you! I declare you..."

His sword swings forward.

Using Sword Against Injustice, a class feature from Inheritor's Crusader. If Aureshalae is 'innocent' of her accusation, the attack will stop just short of striking her. If she is guilty, then it will hit without fail in a flash of white light.

[Diachronos]

The succubus grins as the blade stops short. "Joke's on you, tough guy. I'm not Aureshalae!" She glances over at Voren.
Attempting to charm Voren, DC 22: [roll0]

Voren raises his starknife, but promptly lowers it as a strange look crosses his face.
If he failed his will save, his attacks are directed at Arios
Hit 1: [roll1]/[roll2]
[roll3]/[roll4]
Hit 2: [roll5]/[roll6]
[roll7]/[roll8]

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios sighs. "Not interested then," he replies, and puts his sword away. "If you're not against the Abyss, then you're not an ally. And you're not threatening enough to be an enemy. You're free to go, just run on back home now. Maybe your mother Nocticula will give you a nice pat on the head."

[Diachronos]

"Not threatening enough, you say?" Her eyes flash.
Arios needs to make a DC 23 Will save or be dominated

Nissa raises her bow and attacks the succubus.
Mythic Rapid Shot
Hit 1: [roll0]/[roll1]
Damage: [roll2]/[roll3]
Hit 2: [roll4]/[roll5]
Damage: [roll6]/[roll7]
Hit 3: [roll8]/[roll9]
Damage: [roll10]/[roll11]

[NeoSeraphi]

With Rachel's words of wisdom and Arios's iron will, he manages to stand up straight as the succubus gazes into his eyes.

"You will regret shirking my mercy, demon."

[roll0]/[roll1]
[roll2]/[roll3]

[roll4]/[roll5]
[roll6]/[roll7]

[Diachronos]

The succubus cries out in pain, and disappears.

[NeoSeraphi]

"Invisible again? Nissa, don't let her get away!" Arios yells, swinging his sword in front of him.

[Diachronos]

"She didn't turn invisible or ethereal." She walks over to where the succubus had been standing.
DC 22: [roll0]
After a moment she nods. "She teleported. Not very far, though, and it feels like she went into the dungeons."

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios frowns. "It's possible she went after Aureshalae...damnit. Who would have guessed there'd be two succubi here? Alright, we can't wait on this. We need to get after her. Everyone, to the dungeon!"

[Diachronos]

While Rachel dispels the charm effect on Voren, Nissa crosses her arms. "Didn't that journal say that Aureshalae escaped and isn't here anymore?"

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios blinks and opens the journal up. "I erm...may have skimmed that part a little," he confesses. "Right, okay. My mistake. Let's rest for the night then."

[Diachronos]

"Right. We should probably join back up with Irabeth and the others to let them know what's going on, and we can turn over Staunton and Joran."

The dwarven cleric holds up his hands. "W-wait a minute, what are you planning to-"

Voren shakes his head as the charm effect is removed. "We plan to hold you prisoner for the time being. If you behave yourself, there's a chance they might go easier on you."

[NeoSeraphi]

"Joran, for right now as long as you stay quiet, you can see yourself as a free man in a short time. But until that time comes, I need you to be as far away from my enemy as possible. Got it?"

Arios picks up Staunton and carries him back to the encampment with the others.

[Diachronos]

Irabeth is surprised to learn that they managed to capture Staunton. "You have no idea how much of a milestone this is for us, Arios. We're already getting reports that the remaining cultists in the city are in full retreat. All that's left is to clear the Citadel and retake the Sword of Valor!"

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios nods and lays down in his tent. "And believe me, no one is more excited about that than me. But for now, we rest."

In the morning, he gathers his friends together. "Alright. Does someone have a plan?"

[Diachronos]

"There's not much left on the ground floor. We can clear them out and have the crusaders come in to secure the first level while we raid the dungeon."

"We'll have to be quick about it. We don't know what they have set up down there, and we really don't want to be inside the citadel if they complete the ritual and bring the place down."

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios nods and leads everyone back to the ground floor. "Spread out and search for the dungeons. Secure the door and let's go in fast."

[Diachronos]

"We already know where the dungeons are. Joran pointed out the door to us." Voren starts leading the way.

[NeoSeraphi]

They arrive at the door and Arios pushes it open. "Okay. I wonder if there are any traps down here?"

[Diachronos]

The door opens into what looks like an old storeroom, with a staircase leading down. The passage leading down into the dungeons is extremely dark, lit only by patches of pulsating red lichen clinging to the walls and ceiling.

Voren creeps ahead, keeping an eye out for traps and signs of demon activity. Rachel frowns as she scans the area with magic. "I don't like this... there's some nasty auras down there."

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios frowns and raises his sword and shield. "Stay behind me. Anything that tries to attack will meet a swift end."

Perception: [roll0], +4 against demons

[Diachronos]

There's no sign of activity aside from the group. Voren peers into the next room, and signals to them that it's clear.

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios enters the next room and looks around.

[Diachronos]

The walls of this chamber hold numerous dark, narrow prison cells. Around the main entrance stands an iron cage, with a cell door blocking entrance into the main vault.

Voren checks the side passages at the northwest and southwest corners of the room. "All clear. Looks like the jailors aren't here right now."

A set of iron double doors lies to the east.

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios moves through the double doors.

[Diachronos]

The doors open to a long passageway that extends past multiple prison cells before ending within a barred chamber to the east. An alcove along the south wall includes another set of iron doors leading south, while opposite this a barred gate provides access to another set to the north.

Patrolling the hall are two spectral-looking individuals with the appearance of a horribly mangled human paladin with limbs broken in multiple places.

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios puts up a hand so the group pauses. He points out the two creatures and asks if Rachel or Nissa recognize them.

[Diachronos]

Rachel identifies them as spectres, a form of undead.

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios frowns. "Nissa, can you take one of them out from long range without them noticing you?"

[Diachronos]

She shakes her head. "I can try, but incorporeal undead like that are hard to take down quickly without the right kind of weapons. You need something made specifically to attack incorporeal creatures to fully hit them, and non-magical weapons just pass right through."

Voren frowns and looks at his starknife. "Welp, you guys have fun with that."

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios looks over at Rachel. "You can hit incorporeal creatures with force magic, right? Do you have any?"

[Diachronos]

Rachel blinks. "I've been using magic missile as my main offensive spell."

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios nods. "Then, wait until one of them is alone and hit him with your best magic missile. I'll charge in after."

[Diachronos]

Rachel nods. When the spectres reach opposite ends of the hall, she launches her spell at the nearest one.
Using mythic magic missile, dealing [roll0]

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios darts forward to take the spectre down quickly.

Charge Power Attack Favored Enemy: [roll0]/[roll1]
[roll2]/[roll3]

[Diachronos]

Arios' sword passes through the creature, but it manages to do some damage. The spectre wails and reaches out for Arios!

Hit vs touch: [roll0]/[roll1]
Damage: [roll2] plus 2 negative levels/[roll3] plus 4 negative levels


Rachel launches another spell at the spectre, while Nissa casts a spell at the one at the far end of the hall.
Rachel: magic missile for [roll4]
Nissa: ghostbane dirge, DC 15: [roll5]
Rachel's spell finishes off the spectre, leaving just the one approaching from the far end of the hall.

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios grunts in pain. He can't take many more touches like that. He orders Jestak to leap at the spectre in his place.

[Diachronos]

Jestak roars and charges at the approaching spectre.
Rage + Power Attack
Hit: [roll0]/[roll1]
Damage: [roll2]/[roll3]

Rachel uses her want to launch another volley of magic missiles.
Damage: [roll4]

[Diachronos]

The spectre howls and attacks Jestak.

Hit vs touch: [roll0]/[roll1]
Damage: [roll2] plus 2 negative levels/[roll3] plus 4 negative levels

[NeoSeraphi]

"Damnit...disappear!" Arios yells. Radiance shines with a glow as he slams it into the ground. A wave of energy shoots through the area and strikes the spectre.

Channel Positive Energy: [roll0], Will DC 16 Half

[Diachronos]

The spectre hisses as the wave of positive energy strikes it. It attacks Jestak again.
[roll0]
Hit: [roll1]/[roll2]
Damage: [roll3] plus 2 negative levels/[roll4] plus 4 negative levels

Jestak and Rachel continue attacking the creature, and Nissa sends a blast of positive energy at it.
Jestak: Rage + Power Attack
Hit: [roll5]/[roll6]
Damage: [roll7]/[roll8]
Hit: [roll9]/[roll10]
Damage: [roll11]/[roll12]

Rachel: magic missile, dealing [roll13]

Nissa: using her Faith's Reach hierophant ability to case cure moderate wounds as a ranged touch attack
Hit: [roll14]/[roll15]
Damage: [roll16]/[roll17]
Will save DC 15 for half: [roll18]
Jestak's blows send the spectre to the afterlife.

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios groans as he sinks down. "Damn...this isn't going to go away with a few healing spells," he mutters.

[Diachronos]

Nissa and Rachel shake their heads. "No, we're going to need some higher-level healing magic for that. And I don't think anybody at the camp is strong enough to remove it."

"I guess we'll just have to sleep it off..."

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios agrees and they head back to the encampment for a while so they can rest. Not much progress was made, but continuing on after that is just too dangerous.

[Diachronos]

Everybody retreats to rest up.
Each negative level from the spectre can be removed with a DC 16 Fortitude save. The paladins are able to cast enough spells to give Arios and Jestak a +2 bonus on their saves.

Jestak's saves, her save bonus increases by 1 for each successful save:
1st negative level: [roll0]
2nd negative level: [roll1]
3rd negative level: [roll2]
4th negative level: [roll3]

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios prays on his dawn armor to grant him Iomedae's strength to overcome the challenge.

[roll0]
[roll1]

[Diachronos]

Everyone is recovered and ready to move on.

[NeoSeraphi]

They return to the room where the spectres appeared and press their advance.

[Diachronos]

The hallway branches to the north and south about two-thirds of the way down, and continues to what looks like a communal holding cell at the eastern end.

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios decides to head south first and explore that area.

[Diachronos]

The double doors to the south lead to a dank hall that contains a restraining table and various implements of torture. The sharp tang of fresh blood hangs heavy in the air. Two babau demons are in the middle of maintaining the equipment when the group enters the room.

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios slices his blade through one of the demon's backs.

Charge during the surprise round! Demon is flat-footed.

[roll0]/[roll1]
[roll2]/[roll3]

[Diachronos]

Nissa and Voren each attack the babau that Arios had struck.
Voren: Marking and throwing his starknife
Hit: [roll0]/[roll1]
Damage: [roll2]/[roll3]

Nissa:
Hit: [roll4]/[roll5]
Damage: [roll6]/[roll7]

The first babau collapses. The remaining demon lifts its spear.

Babau 1:
Claw: [roll8]/[roll9]
Damage: [roll10]/[roll11]
Claw: [roll12]/[roll13]
Damage: [roll14]/[roll15]
Bite: [roll16]/[roll17]
Damage: [roll18]/[roll19]

Babau 2:
Spear: [roll20]/[roll21]
Damage: [roll22]/[roll23]
Spear: [roll24]/[roll25]
Damage: [roll26]/[roll27]

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios takes a hit and continues his quest to kill all the demons in the world with another ferocious swing.

[roll0]/[roll1]
[roll2]/[roll3]

[roll4]/[roll5]
[roll6][roll7]

[Diachronos]

The demon steps back and stabs at him again.

Hit: [roll0]/[roll1]
Damage: [roll2]/[roll3]
Hit: [roll4]/[roll5]
Damage: [roll6]/[roll7]


Voren finishes off the babau with his starknife.

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios sighs and cleans his blade off. He looks around the torture room for any hidden doors or treasure.

Perception: [roll0]

[Diachronos]

There are no secret passages or treasures in this room. However, there are two doorways to the south and one room each on the east and west sides of the torture chamber.

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios sighs and heads to the west. Seems like he still has a lot to explore down here.

[Diachronos]

Through the doorway is a small chamber that looks like it's designed for torturing individual prisoners. It's currently unoccupied.

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios searches the room a little more carefully before returning to the previous room and heading through the east room.

Perception: [roll0]

[Diachronos]

There's nothing of value or interest in the west room.

The east room is a different story, however. It looks like a study, with well-stocked bookshelves lining the walls and a plush carpet on the floor. Standing in the center of the room, over a dead crusader, is a gaunt half-orc holding a wicked-looking dagger.

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios frowns and tries to determine if the creature is truly a half-orc.

Know (Planes): [roll0] (+6 for demons)
Know (Religion): [roll1] (+2 for undead)

[Diachronos]

It's a vampire.

The man snarls and lunges at Arios, stabbing at him with his dagger.

Hit: [roll0]/[roll1]
Damage: [roll2]/[roll3]
Vicious: [roll4] to Arios, [roll5] to himself

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios leaps back. "This is bad! Voren, do we have any silver weapons?"

[Diachronos]

"I've got some silversheen, but that's it." He takes out a glass vial and throws it at the vampire.
Swift action to mark the vampire, then throwing a flask of holy water
Hit: [roll0]/[roll1]
Damage: [roll2]/[roll3]

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios points his blade forward. No choice then...

"This is my power!" the knight yells, as his sword begins to glow.

Smite Evil
[roll0]/[roll1]
[roll2]/[roll3]

[Diachronos]

Arios' sword cleaves into the vampire, dealing a severe blow. He turns his gaze to Voren.
Dominate, DC 23
Voren's Will save: [roll0]

[Diachronos]

Voren's eyes glaze over, and he draws his starknife before attacking Arios.
Marking Arios and moving to flank with the vampire
Hit: [roll0]/[roll1]
Damage: [roll2]/[roll3]
Sneak Attack: [roll4]

Nissa curses and starts casting a spell to break Voren free of the vampire's control, while Rachel looks back in the direction they'd come from. "I think we're about to get more trouble!"
Casting dispel magic on Voren. CL check, DC 23: [roll5]
Spending a mythic power to add [roll6]/[roll7] to the result

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios swears loudly. "Leave it to a demon to be a traitor!" he growls, before slicing the vampire again.

[roll0]/[roll1]
[roll2]/[roll3]

[roll4]/[roll5]
[roll6]/[roll7]

[Diachronos]

The vampire howls as it dissolves into mist. The vapor starts to float away, toward the east side of the room.

Nissa tries to dispel the control on Voren again.
Dispel magic, DC 23: [roll0]
Spending a mythic power for [roll1]/[roll2]
If it fails, Rachel casts gallant inspiration to add [roll3] to the result

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios quickly follows the mist.

[Diachronos]

The mist dissipates slightly before going through the wall.

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios charges at the wall and slams his shoulder into it in frustration.

Strength check to bust some bricks: [roll0]

[Diachronos]

There's a slight give in the wall, but not enough for him to get through. Rachel and Nissa both approach, taking a look at the wall.
Nissa: [roll0]
Rachel: [roll1]

Nissa puts her hand on the wall. "It's a secret door." She tries the hidden latch at the bottom of the wall, but it doesn't budge.

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios nods. "Okay. Voren, can you unlock the door?"

[Diachronos]

"I think we've got bigger problems to worry about right now." He steps into the doorway, still facing the previous room, and throws his starknife.
Hit: [roll0]/[roll1]
Damage: [roll2]/[roll3]

[NeoSeraphi]

"Oh riiiiight, what were you pointing at before, Rachel?" Arios asks.

[Diachronos]

"I didn't see them, but I heard them down one of the other hallways."

Voren retreats into the room. "Alright, you know what? I don't have anything effective against them. You three can deal with the vampire spawn, I'll get the door."

[NeoSeraphi]

Arios nods and quickly moves to guard the door.

Total Defense: +4 to AC