Adventures in New Ganthar IV

[ilinares]

The twilight journey back to the offices of Gunn, Incorporated - above which is the suite of rooms which has been your home - is a quiet one, giving plenty of time to reflect on your new standing.

Whatever thoughts occupy you as you walk the streets of your native city are your own. A passerby might see nothing to differentiate Lord Thomas of Knightsfane from Thomas Gunn Esquire, Attorney at Law; and whether you feel pride and satisfaction at your new status, or the bleakness of achieving your ambition and finding no joy in it, the fact remains that your standing has changed dramatically. Doors will open to you now that were closed before; options present themselves that a mere lawyer could not have hoped to see. And those who know of your title will see you in a different light.

Arriving at your own door - for now, even if you may need to seek a home more suited to a baron - you are not immediately surprised to see a light at the window. Lora often works late, particularly when she is anxiously awaiting your safe return. But you soon realise you have visitors; the light, as you open your door, is coming from a reception room, and you smell fresh coffee on the air.

There is no sign of forced entry, and it is unlikely Lora would put the coffee on for an intruder; and a brief telepathic search identifies the minds of Rosalind, her apprentice Pran, and your faithful Lora within.

Extricating yourself from the press of nobles and their servants, you find the peace of the late evening streets.

Your thoughts are awash with the deeds of the day. The demon that has been linked to you for so long, slain at last. Your encounter with the memory of Dalvar, revealing more of your destiny as he intended it. Natalia's petition for aid in her sinister designs. The Prince's gratitude, and a step closer to your ultimate goals.

What can these plebians guess of your true intentions? Better that they be kept wondering. They all want you to dance to their tune. But you will have the last laugh.

You stand at a crossroads, your face turned to the path leading back to Maya's Temple. You told Gunn you meant to return there, visiting Katraya on a mission of compassion. Perhaps that is where you mean to go - or perhaps it was a convenient lie.

Many paths lie before you, after all. And it is up to you to choose where you walk.

Stepping into your office, you are struck again by the otherworldly sights inside An angel, a being of law and good resplendent in all his power and beauty; and the gilded cage of an ancient assassin, considered evil by many, certainly dangerous beyond measure.

The deva, Hadurel, regards your injury gravely.

"I have seen such injuries before, Champion, when faced with the vilest agents of evil. Although the wound - praise Charis - is but shallow, it is sinister in aspect. It will resist any attempt to heal it, unless you first purge the taint from your flesh. Consult with the most learned healers this Plane can offer, human: that is my counsel to you."

Acknowledging his words, you step to the divinely constructed cell. At your approach, the walls become transparent, only the swirling symbols of containment and warning remaining to mark the boundaries.

Melchizar is pacing, like a caged lion, but stops at the sight of you. Clasping his hands behind his back, he eyes your injury without comment and listens to your words.

"What have I been thinking? Why, mortal, I have had centuries to exhaust the topics I might consider. I passed the time by wondering what manner of place I would find myself in when the cell cleared - and in whose hands I would end up. You would not be the first to see me as a useful advisor.

"But I have thought also of the discussions we had, servant of Charis. I have come to the conclusion none of you had thought through your offers. I have no expectation, then, that they will be repeated. But I remain eager for my freedom; and I will pay whatever price I must to gain it, short of denying my nature.

"What of you, Theodore Roost? Now that the only ears are those in your thrall, what secret desires will you whisper to me? I know the mark of an immortal's rage when I see it, better than any. You have earned the ire of a terrible and powerful foe. Terrible and powerful enough, I wonder, that you would seek my services?"

[gallagher]

He patiently listens to Hadurel's explanation; it is hardly a scratch, other than why a cut should be mended, is there some risk of the coursed wound, or must I go with haste to Rosalind to patch the wound?


And to Melchizar, Theo replies:
There are many things on my mind. I have sworn vows and been given commandments, all to better protect the Prime Worlds from invasion using the Way Between Worlds. I am to defeat Maltur, I am to maintain my Temple, I am to Redeem my Goddess. And I have two days until it all is to come to a head; I will tell you truthfully, Maltur aims to come and slay me. I must meet his ax with my sword.

We will address the other questions in time, but what I have just admitted is of prime importance. And so my first question for you; how is it that one can kill a god? Is Maltur even a God or made of other stuff? Will my sword manage to even bring him harm?

[Timble]

Yara heads to the temple of Maya, thinking of the future. Would she succeed at becoming a god and fix the world to her design? Or would all her efforts come to nothing?

[esorscher]

Gunn enters somewhat beleagueredly, the prospect of conversation with Rosalind draining away the elation he'd felt at finally achieved his life's work. Reminded of the divine web he finds himself ensnared in, he sighs, thinking wistfully that the world might actually be better off with none of them around at all. Then the thought of extraplanar invasion rears its head, and he resigns himself to what he hopes is not an exhausting conversation. "Good evening Sister Rosalind," he says upon entering. "Pran," he acknowledges as well. "Lora, would you please show our clients into the conference room?" He heads for his office to take a deep breath and collect himself before entering the conference room, where Lora has arranged a tray with water and glasses. He pours himself a glass and takes a slow drink of it before sitting down in a comfortable chair at the head of the long table, made from finished zebrawood with manzanita trim. Drumming his fingers (and flashing his signet ring) on the table, he looks at Rosalind expectantly. "How can I be of assistance?"

[dantiesilva]

As Mr. Gunn enters the room they had been siting inside of waiting for him Sister Rosalind bows her head respectfully towards him. "Good evening Mr. Gunn." she says noticing the ring on his hand, and stopping for a moment to try and remember the different types of rings. "It seems you have gotten what you seek Mr. Gunn." she says not 100% sure about the ring, but thinking it had something to do with being one of the richer people in the kingdom.

As they sit down and Mr. Gunn asks them how he can be of assistance Sister Rosalind hands over to him the slip, her Will should she die come the dawn in their ordeal before adding. "I also came to see the bones of Saint Rosalind. I believe I may be able to use their powers to restore the Daughter to a living being, or it may unlock the power within me. Honestly I am not sure which, it is only a theory based on what I know of the woman and the stories they tell in the Empire. However as the afterlife has taught me very recently, Pacem hides much from its citizens, and it is why I came here hoping to spend time meditating with said artifact. Lora however says she has no idea about said artifact or where it would be kept. Do you still have it?" she asks not knowing if Pacem had already come to reclaim it.

[ilinares]

Arriving at the Temple of Maya, you find Katraya absent from her usual post and a priestess you vaguely recognise from previous visits in her place. Although you do not know her name, the short black-haired woman plainly recognises you; she raises a hand in greeting and addresses you in a gruff voice.

"Yara, isn't it? The psion with the demon problem? I'd turn back if I was you. Wards are up; don't reckon you'll be getting in here any time soon."

Hadurel shakes his head. "The wound will get no worse, unless it becomes infected, but nor will it heal naturally. It may not be urgent, but it will require treatment."

A short time later, Melchizar listens to your question and leans forward intently, his whole expression coming alive at the topic under discussion.

"Before Maltur seized divinity, He was already a demon lord of considerable power. But only one of many would-be deities who thrived on war. His brilliance was to face his rivals, conquer them, and claim their souls and their worshippers for His own. For those who worship the ideal of war can readily be convinced to side with the strongest leader.

"So, what is Maltur? He is the victor. The sum of many mighty foes, and more powerful than any of them. The divine mantle makes him a potent foe, impossible to permanently slay by conventional means.

"Yet that power places limits on what He can do directly on the Material Plane. If He wishes to confront you, He must either induce you to come to Him at the heart of His power, or else distill a part of Himself into a material body - a lesser vessel, but capable of entering the Prime Material.

"Facing His avatar in battle would be perilous in the extreme, but with the Sword of Tariel in hand, you could harm such a foe. Perhaps, with luck and skilled allies, you might even prevail. And that would be no small victory: it would take time for Maltur to recover from the destruction of His avatar. indeed, I believe it would be years before He could actively work against the other gods again. You would buy a season of peace - at least so far as His agents are concerned; a reprieve from demonic invasion. Perhaps even time enough to resolve any… internal conflicts… you may now face.

"I see your unease, human. I sense that this talk of temporary victory, of a battle triumphant while the war continues - these thoughts leave you unsatisfied. But if you wish to destroy Maltur permanently, you will need my help. For only the power of a greater god can permanently slay a god. Power such as that from which I am formed.

"We would have to fight our way together into the very heart of Maltur's realm, face Him in the full and terrible majesty of His power. A suicidal endeavour by most any standard. But, if successful, it would change the face of the multiverse forever."

[esorscher]

"As instructed, I sent word to the Empire of Pacem. I have yet to hear from them. I arranged for the bones to be kept safely and securely, and can arrange for their delivery to you tomorrow morning. Will that satisfy?"

[dantiesilva]

"Tomorrow morning we have to deal with that situation with Theo, and figuring out the key to them was important for the goal Theo wishes to achieve. It is why I have come so late." Sister Rosalind explains turning to Perseus and asking "Do you think the Runewarden would be able to hold the prison for another day given how it was already failing?" Persus understood the runemagic at work better then any of them and he would best be able to answer if waiting until dawn was practical or not.

Rosalind came here asking for the bones because DM said she had to sit with the bones overnight, you said He keeps said items in his briefcase, and we are supposed to fight the Daughter come the morning (the whole reason why we put it on hold for a day to prepare our spells and recover) So I'm kinda confused why Gunn is fighting against this so much when he has the briefcase (you said he always has it on him) and he has been told it is needed to return the daughter to a living being (which up to now we have all agreed upon). Is Gunn simply delaying out of spite

[esorscher]

Gunn glances at the expensive water clock in the conference room. "The hour is very late, but then again, I am an excellent customer for the secure storage facility. I will send word to them and have the bones delivered to you at the earliest possible moment," Gunn says. "Where would you like them delivered?"

no metagaming please

[dantiesilva]

"As the Gleaming Rose was destroyed during the invasion and has not yet begun to be rebuilt and no housing accommodations have been made with the trust I have no place for you to send them besides here to me, where I shall wait until they are given to me." Sister Rosalind says patiently, expecting it could take a few hours but knowing the MISSION was important enough for her to lose sleep over.

[esorscher]

"Very well," Gunn says, gesturing to the exit. "You can wait at the front desk, or if you prefer, outside." He stands, indicating the conversation is over. After she leaves, he sends no messages to anyone, and retires to his chambers to sleep.

[dantiesilva]

As Gunn leaves for the night letting her know the bones will be brought to her at the earliest possible time she goes outside to wait. After all it wasn't hard to find someone who knew to use the sending spell in his line of work no doubt, it would only take a few hours. Or that was at least what she thought as the priestess of the Lovers sat outside Gunn's establishment, the holy nimbus of light that constantly surrounded her providing more then enough light for her as she sat directly in front of the door and began to meditate. Unaware that the bright light coming off of her may anger some of the neighbors of Gunn's establishment.

Soon it was midnight as the priestess looked up to the sky to the Mother's face. This was taking a lot longer then she had hoped for given the message she had received, and if she were going to help Theo and the others the next day she would need to learn how to control the power of her ancestor. "Well I may as well allow the Mother's energy to flow through me and try and channel it so I have an idea what I am doing tomorrow." the priestess says to no one in particular as she begins to focus on the rays of moonlight coming off of the moon and trying to shape them throughout the entire night.

As dawn comes the priestess begins to pray to the Lover's in front of Mr. Gunn's establishment still as she prays for her daily spells, one to help her get over the exhaustion of staying up the entire night waiting for the bones to be delivered to her however with no such luck happening. When the first employ of Mr. Gunn's business opens she asks the individual to let Gunn know her package still hadn't arrived yet even though she had been out there the entire night.

[Timble]

Yara nods, worried about Katraya's absence.
"My demon problem is long gone, permanently it now seems. I'm here to find out what happened to Katraya."

[ilinares]

The priestess nods cautiously, not entirely convinced. "If that is true, you will have no difficulty entering the temple," she responds. "If you show yourself able to do that, I will gladly take you to Katraya
She is recovering from her ordeal earlier, but I imagine she will be interested to hear how you freed yourself of the demon."

Pausing there as i don't know if you actually want to see Katraya, or just to have checked on her.


Day 13 - 2 days remaining

Your night's sleep is disrupted several times by weird noises and flashes of light, as Rosalind - true to her vagabond appearance - spends the night camped on your doorstep. Lora, for once, looks disheveled when you see her, shortly before dawn, struggling to prepare breakfast; she normally leaves for her lodgings overnight, returning in time for office hours, but spent last night on a bed roll in the office. You suspect she simply didn't want to walk past Rosalind to get home.

Sweeping mussed hair out of her eyes, Lora nods in the direction of the door. "She's still there, boss. Tenacious cockroach, isn't she? Still, I don't understand why you don't just give her the magic doodad back. What's so important about it?"


Day 13 - 2 days remaining

Your vigil is long and frustrating, to say nothing of uncomfortable. Your prayers receive no specific answer - aside, of course, from the provision of tremendous magical power on a scale seldom seen in this world. You do however receive a vague impression that the bones of your namesake are close at hand.

Before sunrise, Gunn's follower - Alan, was it? - arrives at the office looking anxious. He takes in your presence with a frown, and is about to speak when a window opens behind him and a red-faced, bleary-eyed man in his fifties leans out to yell at you.

"Azarian! Is this wretched caterwauling your master's doing? For the gods' sake, shut her up!"

He slams the window shut without waiting for an answer, and Alan Azarian lets out a sigh.

"And a good morning to you too, you colossal jackass."

Turning back to you, he shakes his head. "Stuck on the doorstep, Sister? I was hoping Lora would be here, since she didn't come home."

[dantiesilva]

It had been a long fruitless night however thankfully the Lover's had told her that the bones were close. So it is when Alan arrives Sister Rosalind sits up and greats him warmly. " A blessed morning to you Alan. I saw Lora last night here however haven't seen her since I left the building. Last I knew she and Mr. Gunn were inside still. I can't imagine why if he was already sending a message to have the item in question delivered here why he wouldn't also have had a message from Lora sent to you saying she wouldn't be on her way home." Sister Rosalind responds kindly to the young man who had always been kind to her.

[Timble]

"Thank you," Yara says. She hurries up the stairs, anxious to see what condition Katraya was in.


Everyone else seems to be in the next day, so I'll try and finish this day quicker.
Once alone in her room, she pulls out the Archive Fragment.
"So, little one. You have met Dalvar. How do you feel?"

"You know everything he did, right? Can you tell me about the ritual we are to perform? And how it can create a new god?"

[ilinares]

The priestess looks pleasantly surprised when you are able to pass the threshold.
She leads you inside, to what proves to be the personal quarters of Katraya. It is a small but cozy space, filled with pictures of men and women with a strong family resemblance to the Guardian.
The furnishings are inexpensive but comfortable, the decor muted pastel colours. You notice one curiosity: a collection of ceramic figurines, mostly animals, crowding a shelf on one side of the room.

The Guardian herself is in a night dress, her hair tied back and her magic items set aside. She looks exhausted - more so than the hour alone can account for - but alive.

She looks slightly alarmed on seeing you, and embarrassed; she folds her arms protective and smiles a wry greeting.

"Well, I think you can tell I wasn't expecting guests so late. What can I do for you, Yara?"

[Timble]

"I just came to see that you were alright," Yara says, unsure of herself. "It was my fault that you were in harms way."
She rubs the back of her head.
"It's good to see that you're alive."

[esorscher]

Gunn ponders Lora's question for a while before answer. "How many prophecies have been misread--or prophets misled? I've never trusted the 'gods' before, and I see no reason to start now. Why should I want to overturn a world order that has brought us so much? I know the rules to this game, and I've gotten quite skilled at playing it. Why change anything?"

[ilinares]

Alan shrugs, producing a key. "Well, if she's still here, at least I can stop worrying about her."

So saying, he unlocks the door and heads inside.

Lora nods her understanding. "Can't say I blame you. I never much cared about the gods either. But they matter to Alan - and I have to say, since I died, I've been thinking a lot more about that kind of thing."

She is interrupted by the sound of a key turning in a lock. As if summoned by the mention of his name, Alan's voice bellows from the entrance.

"Boss? Lora? Anyone here?"

Lora freezes, an expression of frustration and annoyance on her face. Shaking her head, she dashes off, dragging fingers through her hair in a hopeless attempt to make herself presentable.

Moments later, Alan enters, leaving the door open behind him and a clear line of sight to Rosalind in the doorway. "Hey, boss. You seen Lora anywhere? She didn't come home last night, and…"

Catching sight of your expression, he breaks off, tracing your gaze back to Rosalind. "Oh. I… guess I'll go look somewhere else and leave you to talk to the Sister."

Katraya regards you in silence for a moment, her expression softening. "Thank you, Yara. That is an unexpected kindness. Perhaps… would like to come in? Not that I make a habit of inviting strange women into my bedroom, you understand, but I think it might be good to talk."

Katraya shows you in and shuts the door behind you. Offering you a seat by the fire, and pulling another across to sit opposite you, she pours a glass of red wine and offers it to you, taking another for herself.

Sipping from the glass, she studies you over its rim. Curling her legs up underneath her in the chair, she raises the glass to salute you.

"Well, here's to you, Yara. You've accomplished a great deal in the short time I've known you, more than I would have thought possible.

"But you seem so alone. Even when you travel with others, you don't show them the real you, do you? It must be hard. Hard to live like that - and hard to stop.

"Sometimes it's easiest with those who know us least. So I'm here, if you want to talk. I can't promise you answers - but I'd be glad to listen."

[gallagher]

Maltur said he is coming here to kill me. If to do so would mean he must form an avatar, then we must prepare for that.

And if we prevail against that, he will be weakened for a long time, from the perspective of a mortal with my lifespan at least. And from there, maybe we can pursue our quarry further.

Theo paused from there, and considered what the implications were for using Melchizar - was it not his purpose to guard against goes like Maltur? Our foe is War itself... What happens after he is defeated? Maltur took his power, and there will always be another. You once told me of your original purpose. Can you stop the next claimant from taking the mantle of War?

[dantiesilva]

As Sister Rosalind is let into the building she takes a seat near the door knowing that with them just opening they no doubt had stuff to do before seeing anyone, so even though she see's Gunn speaking with Alan she makes no move to go into his office trusting that he had in fact sent for the item and that he would see to her as soon as he could, after all they had a meeting with Theo in less than an hour at his office, technically they were already late given they were supposed to be there before dawn, however she needed the artifact if she were to help Theo complete his mission which would help her with her own.

[ilinares]

The ancient progenitor of vampires gives you a feral smile. "Those I kill stay dead," he says silkily.

"But I see you dislike the flippant answer. Very well.

"If I kill Maltur, He will not return. The divine essence He has accumulated will be scattered across the multiverse. Eventually, perhaps, someone might succeed in gathering enough of it in one place to gain immortality; but it is as likely to be someone of whom you approve as not."

[esorscher]

"Hold on, Alan," Gunn says. "Close the door." He steeples his fingers behind the desk, and looking out at Alan across them, asks. "I understand you're a religious type. What motivates that for you?"

[Timble]

"Sure," Yara says. She had no other plans that night.

Yara thinks for a bit after Katraya speaks, staring into her drink.
"I guess that's true. I've accomplished much and shared little. Not that that matters much. Theo has his temple, Rosalind has hers and Gunn has his business and nobility. For all that I've done I'm unsure what I have to show for it, or what life will be like once this is over. Tomorrow I'll be slaying or purifying and ex-god and not one step closer to realising what I want."

[ilinares]

Katraya swirls the wine in her glass thoughtfully. "Is that what you envy? The organisations they have built? Or is it something more nebulous - a feeling, perhaps, that they have built something that will continue after they have gone?

"I wonder. You say that you have not realised your ambitions. But have you been honest with yourself about what you truly want to achieve?"

Alan pauses, then shuts the door and takes a seat.

"I don't know why you ask me," he says nervously. "I'm a scrapper, not a talker. And you sure know a lot of folk who'd do a better job talkin 'bout this."

He thinks about his answer for a minute, then haltingly begins to speak.

"You know I was a soldier? Fought my share of battles. Goblins. Orcs. Kobolds. That sort of thing.

"Soldiers know their next fight could be their last. Don't matter how good you are: some sneaky little greenskin gets lucky, and suddenly you're worm food. Gets you to thinkin', sometimes: what comes next?

"So when the priests come and tell you they've got the answers, maybe you laugh at them in front of your mates, but you want to hear what they've got to say.

"For me, it was Brother Obren. The old Lord Commander of the Templars. Soldiers respect a fighting man; a clothie who was willing to get his hands dirty and to bleed next to us? That's the kind of priest I could respect.

"He shared a tankard with me and some of the lads, one day, after a hard fight. It had ended with him burying one of ours. He'd said prayers over the grave - can't remember them now. It was what he said in the tavern that stuck with me, not the funeral.

"He said to me that death wasn't the end, which was good. But that it ain't all smiles and sunshine afterwards, which wasn't. Reckoned there's things out there that want to eat us, and if they don't get us, there's all kinds of hells waiting for those who don't walk the path of angels.

"Sitting there, listening to this soldier's soldier tell me with no doubt in his mind that there was a Hell full of demons waiting to get their claws on me - it scared me, Boss. He said that following a god matters - because any sane man would be terrified of what happens when you don't. Once you accept that, it's just a question of deciding which god is the one that suits you best.

"Now, me, I didn't have far to look. I liked what I saw in Obren: the smart soldier who fought tooth and nail to protect those what couldn't. Seemed to me that was what Charis was all about. And I respect that. Not sure She would be too thrilled about some of the choices I've made since, mind. But we all play the hand we're dealt."

[Timble]

"I guess so. I'm just not sure what I'm working towards. Should I just try and restore things to how they were before Charis's fall or try for something new? And what will become of me after my power is used up? Should I ressurect a god or create a new one with it. There's too many variables to keep track of," Yara says as she slumps.

[esorscher]

"Thank you for your honesty, Alan. That will be all." Gunn steeples his fingers behind his desk, deep in thought. The cause may seem just, but based purely on personal affinity for the one asking, he is much more inclined to side with Natalia than Rosalind. Of course, the ally he's closest to, Theo, may provide some useful insight into the matter. Rather than leaving through the front door and encountering Rosalind, Gunn opts to exit through the secret back door, with Perseus in tow, and head for the Church of Charis to consult with Theo.

[ilinares]

Katraya gives a small smile. "You know, it speaks well of you that you are given immense power - and all of your thoughts are about how best to give it away.

"If I understand correctly, the god Dalvar invested His power in you. Doubtless He had His reasons; but my Goddess teaches that we are each free to choose our own path. It is for you to decide what destiny lies before you - whatever the gods might prefer.

"You have the keys to divinity. So are your goals best served by having unlimited time and tremendous power with which to pursue them yourself - or by handing them to someone else?

"Who better than you to serve the causes you care about? That is the question. If your answer is that there is someone else more suitable than you to receive this gift, if you truly wish to hand it over… well, I hope the object of your worship is deserving. For make no mistake, that is true worship: to see the object of your attention as more worthy than you of blessing and honour and glory and power.

"It is not for me to interfere with your choices, or to dictate the path ahead of you. But I will say this. You are a truly exceptional individual. You have proven time and again that you are more than equal to any challenge. That isn't the seed of divinity at work in you; rather, it is because of who He knew you would be that Dalvar allowed His power to come to you. If you accept the burden of immortality, you will use it to do great things - but you will still be capable of greatness without it. You needn't fear giving it up, if that is what you choose to do. You need only decide what life you want to lead - and get on with leading it."

Dawn is definitely breaking by the time Gunn arrives at the Temple of Charis, grey half-light giving way to true morning. The Templar on duty, recognising Gunn and Perseus on sight, has no hesitation about showing them to the High Priest's office - where he knocks and calls inside with their names, not venturing to open the door.

You are sat alone in the foyer for some time, pressingly aware of the gathering dawn at your back. When someone does come, it is Lora, storming through the inner doors with an expression like thunder.

Seeing you, however, she stops short. Closing her eyes, she visibly composes herself before stepping forward and offering a smile.

"Good morning, Sister. Look, I've nothing against you - you've treated a great many friends of mine, and I know you're a good person. But I just don't see what you're trying to achieve here?"

[gallagher]

Hmmm, Theo says, trying to fully contemplate the impact of his decisions, and how it will be felt for countless generations. The thought of generations gave Theo pause to think - that is just a blink of an eye to an immortal... no wonder that the first answer was so flippant, he may not worry that the next to gather the power of Maltur would be the next enemy of his Goddess. Which gave Theo another idea.

Melchizar, you said to me that it was your job to keep new immortals from sprouting up. Does not the scatter of Divine essence, such that would happen with the destruction of Maltur, make you consider who would claim the mantle of War? Why would we not use the opportunity to collect that power, and give it to someone that observes War in a way that does not threaten the Way Between Worlds?

Or, stated otherwise, what stops you from grabbing that essence yourself? Theo said, now suddenly eyeing Melchizar with equal amounts of suspicion and awe.

After the answer comes from Melchizar, Theo hears a gentle knocking at his door. Who would come at this time? His most trusted lieutenants would be at the site of the Daughter, securing it against foes. Announce yourself, if you wish to enter. Theo said with his sternest commanding voice. After the page says that it is Mr Gunn who has arrived, Theo gives permission to enter, at ease that his ally was the smarter of the pair, and no doubt would help him get all the information he could from Melchizar.

[ilinares]

"My purpose is to slay immortals, not to prevent their creation,"Melchizar scowls. "All things must die; but what is it to me how many are born?

"You are not the first to think in such terms, nor the loftiest. So reasoned Torae and Kirest, when They betrayed my purpose to create these gods. Better the known few than the unknown multitude.
It is an odious argument. Is it just to set a few above the law, in order that the majority might toe the line? This is rank consequentialism. Would you turn a blind eye to a criminal kingpin, because he keeps the lesser thugs in line?"

He looks to the door a moment before the knock sounds, chuckling quietly. "A foolish question.
Clearly you would, and do."

[Timble]

"... Thank you," Yara says after a while. "You've given me much to think about. But it is getting late, I'd better be going. I appreciate your time. Oh, will you be able to recover from what happened?"
Better get to the next day. I think Lothrain has the redemption mission in the morning?

[dantiesilva]

As Sister Rosalind sits waiting she notices Lora storm in and watches the change that comes over her. "Long night? Sorry about that." Sister Rosalind offers in apology thinking the woman had been working most of the night trying to get her item.
"As for what I am trying to achieve here well that's a very open question. For instance.." she says gesturing with her hands to the room she was in as a whole, "I am here because the Gleaming Rose has been destroyed and no other accommodations were made. Add in the fact Mr. Gunn said he was sending for the item in question and would have it here as soon as possible I am waiting for it. That is why I am here instead of at the temple of Charis where we are all supposed to meet come dawn." She then gestures to the window and points outside.

"I am here in New Ganther because it is a still new and budding Kingdom and will no doubt face many challenges as you have seen yourself. Pacem wanted to give them the best chance at standing on their own two feet and so sent a representative to aid in what ways they could. Had I been able to stay out of the spotlight a bit more it would have been ideal, however we must all play with the hands we are dealt." she says acknowledging that she did wish she could have done some things differently however dwelling on the past wouldn't change it.

"If your however talking about my recent death and return without someone casting a spell to bring me back, I gave up my chance at seeing the Lover's to make sure everyone would be able to get the afterlife they believe they deserve. Because at the moment those who do not worship any deity are trapped with nowhere to go and their souls are being attacked by creatures that fed on souls. If I fail at my task then everyone who doesn't accept some god as their deity and have that gods protection are attacked when they reach the other side on their way to the Hall of Judgement as well as after."

[ilinares]

Katraya grimaces briefly. "I will in time. Dying and returning to life is traumatic, but time is a great healer. And spending time in this Temple I am sworn to defend will restore my powers. Eventually.

"Now, have you somewhere to sleep this night? I'm sure a bed could be found for you."


Day 13 - 2 days remaining

You are woken before dawn by an unfamiliar, elderly priest, his features pinched in disapproval.

"The Archon of Relath is here for you," he says stiffly. "Shall I send him away?"

Lora listens with growing bemusement, then shakes her head. "That's a… rather more thorough answer than I expected! I just meant that I didn't know why you were camped here. I don't see how it gets you anywhere.

"My rough night was nothing to do with you. Just…" She pauses, looking pained; then, sitting near you, she starts speaking in a hushed, confidential tone. "You ever had a man who wants to rush into things, Sister? Alan… well, I spent a few nights in a row with him, and now he thinks we live together. I'm starting to feel stifled. Like, the next thing I know, he's going to expect me to keep house for him, cooking and cleaning and the gods only know what. And that's just not me."

[dantiesilva]

"Well when you have no home to go to and the one who holds all of your money doesn't put you up somewhere for the night you have few options. Add in that I was expecting the package sometime last night to come with a runner and it seemed obvious. However as it is now dawn and still I have neither seen this runner or Mr. Gunn I'm starting to suspect he didn't even send for it which is a rather big problem." Sister Rosalind admits to Lora, after all it wasn't Lora's fault she hadn't received the artifact yet. However she had no doubt if she didn't succeed and get it soon Lora's soul would be one of many thousands lost to the wraiths on the other side.

"Normally when you let someone try the milk before they buy the cow dear they tend to see you as theirs." Sister Rosalind says with a chuckle. "And while my gods may have no problem with a love life, sadly I have never found the time, and given my life could end at anytime I hardly see it as more pressing then making sure everyone who dies without a god is protected in the afterlife. However back to topic, how long have you known Alan?" she asks, keeping her voice as quietly as Lora's. "If you know Alan as well as you think you do and he knows and respects you he no doubt already knows you are not the type of person to stay home and play house and won't expect you to. Perhaps a gentle reminder that you are not together, he seems a loyal man, and if you put it to him in a way he will understand I suspect he will respect your wishes and give you your space." Sister Rosalind says before adding with a chuckle. "Then again your asking a dead woman who has never been in a real relationship about advice."

[Timble]

"Thank you, Katraya," Yara says. Here was a good a place to sleep as any.

(The Morning)
"No, I'll come out to meet him."

[ilinares]

Lora smiles at your words, a thoughtful expression on her face. "I don't mind the thought of being together," she says quietly.
"But I'm just not ready to be sold and owned, if you're determined to use the cow metaphor.

"I don't know. Maybe you're right, and I should trust Alan to understand. I'm just not used to confiding in anyone. Easier to talk to you than to him - but, then, you have this aura about you... I don't know. Just feels easier to think these things through with you around.

"You've helped me out, Sister, so let me help you in turn. Don't wait around here for something that isn't coming. And... maybe remember, next time you're dealing with Mr Gunn, that you need to appeal to his interests if you're going to persuade him. With perhaps a handful of exceptions, he's not into the greater good. He's into one, very specific good: his own."

[dantiesilva]

"Even in a relationship as I am with one's gods you are never owned by anyone Lora. You should be partners, no one person more important then the other, working towards a goal. Any relationship that makes you feel as if you have no control in it and are owned by another is one best avoided or walked away from. However if your afraid of the commitment part, everyone has doubts about such things. To give another person such trust is a gift, it is why we often wear so many different faces, depending on who we are with. For example I would not act the same way with someone mourning a loss as I am now, nor would I act the same treating someone wounded compared to trying to stop someone from hurting another. Your partner however should be someone you are comfortable with seeing the true you that is hidden behind the masks we wear each day. Even Gunn wears more masks then he can see, and if he doesn't realize what some of these masks can do to him he may see doors close that would have stayed open." Sister Rosalind says kindly to Lora, believing the well educated woman would understand at least part of what she was saying if not all of it.

"A quiet place in a sea of chaos is what most priests of the Lover's strive to be so thank you for the compliment Lora. And anytime you just need someone to talk to I will always try to find time to listen, after all if one doesn't listen to another how can they come to understand them?" she says with an amused look on her face. "The choice will always be yours to make Lora, however know that all paths lead in different directions. Sometimes two paths may intersect once again, sometimes they will never meet again. So think about your choice carefully and don't push him to far away if you are simply trying to make a choice." Sister Rosalind advises.

"So he lied to me, and is keeping a relic of my faith from me. Thank you Lora I will remember what you have said this day. Sadly I do not forsee the future I once saw for our friend. He has chosen a path that I fear even his other friends will eventually be strained to follow him on. He is isolating himself to much with his selfishness and greed and it will lead to his undoing. If he is lucky the Lady of Sin or the Lord of Lies may offer him a deal to protect his soul when he dies, if not I fear when he sits in judgement as we all must he will not like where he ends up." Sister Rosalind tells Lora, letting her know that her employer and friend was on a self destructive path. With luck Lora could reach him where she could not, and with that the priestess leaves for the temple of Charis, honoring her promise to meet with Theo before Dawn.

[ilinares]

Dressing quickly and gathering your belongings, you follow your churlish escort through the dilapidated temple to the main entrance, where Lothrain stands waiting in gleaming full plate under a spotless white and gold standard. If he had set out to present a contrast between the meticulously presented Crusaders and the relaxed, underfunded clergy of Maya, he could hardly have done a better job of it.

The Arbiter gives a delighted grin on seeing you, clapping you on the shoulder with bruising exuberance.

"Yara!" he booms. "Good woman! Everything is ready - we just need the guest of honour.

"Any questions before we set off?"

[esorscher]

Upon admittance into Theo's chambers, Gunn takes a seat in the nearest chair that looks decently comfortable, and says, "Well, Theo, this is a strange thing for me. I've never been especially religious, but I suppose now's as good a time as any to start. I'm here looking for guidance. There's a handful of competing schemes at work, and I can't sit on the sidelines anymore. Kill all the gods? Kill any of the gods? Kill none of the gods? I don't know what path to choose."

[gallagher]

Were only Father Michel here, Theo said to Gunn, he'd have a sermon for just the occasion. Sit, enjoy a refreshment, Theo gestured to the water pitcher on his desk.

You know my goals, to defeat Maltur and restore Charis to Her rightful place. But it isn't so easy as to snap my fingers and will it up be done. There's a dozen problems that we can identify and several we can not. It is a tender balance we seek, that will further protect our world from that of demons. And I don't know how to do it without the power of the gods, who can oppose the god-like Maltur. And I cannot get my goddess back without your help; you're picture was hung in the same hall as mine.

I don't know if my guidance is worth much, as I'm pleading for your help as much as I am trying to show you my perspective. You will no doubt take my biases into account. But let me ask you this; are we not better off with, at Least, gods dedicated to our protection? I know you have distaste that gods have the power to change everything in our lives on a whim, and we have no choice but to suffer the consequences. But with the hell's threatening our world, can you at least agree that if we empower the right people, the right gods, that we are forging a stronger bulwark against those that actively seek our suffering?

Theo let that sit in the air, and paused, letting his thoughts gather. I am not doing my part to offer guidance. I am instead using my time to ask for your help, and making my case. I guess I need your guidance too; what can I do to give you the confidence that Charis will lead us to victory over Maltur? He comes for me soon, he wants my head as a trophy. If Maltur wins, our world is doomed, and the only path I see to victory is through Charis.

[esorscher]

Gunn sighs, but seeing Theo's visible wound gives him pause. He considers Theo's words, and ultimately makes a decision. Reaching into his briefcase, he removes the bones of St. Rosalind, and sets them on Theo's desk. "How you choose to use these is up to you. Rosalind will be looking for them." He shrugs. "I don't know what the right course is, but you've helped me achieve my goals. It seems only suitable I help you achieve yours."

[Timble]

"Well, you look prepared," Yara says, looking at the gleaming arbiter. "So, what task am I being set?"

[ilinares]

The Arbiter starts walking, gesturing for you to accompany him.

"We are readying to commune with a solar," he tells you seriously, "an ancient and powerful being of Law and Good. He will assign you a quest. A quest that will culminate in the redemption of your soul - and, if all goes well, the restoration of the Chalice.

"It is a perilous thing we attempt, Yara. The forces of Evil are a real and present danger. They will not lightly allow a soul such as yours to win free of their corruption; still less will they tolerate our manoeuvring to restore Charis to the Heavens. We must expect opposition.

"And even if we prevail against our foes… redemption is a rare and precious thing, Yara. Men spend their lives seeking after it. They give all they have in the vain hope they might possess it. And to gain it, they must often surrender the things they treasure most."

He draws to a stop within sight of the fortress-temple of Relath. Turning to regard you with an uncharacteristically somber expression, he squeezes your shoulder and lowers his voice from its usual boisterous exuberance to a passable attempt at gentleness.

"My faith is not yours, Yara. You need not give everything you are for a cause not your own. Whatever it means to me and mine, you should only do this if you truly want to redeem your soul more than anything in the world - if you are willing to pay any price, however high, to gain the favour of the Heavens.

"You need to decide now, Yara. Once we summon the Solar, there is no turning back.

"What are you willing to sacrifice to save your soul - and with it, perhaps the soul of the Fallen Goddess?"

Taking your leave of Lora, you make your way through the gathering dawn to the Temple of Charis. The streets are beginning to wake, although they remain quiet; it is too early yet for merchants to ply their wares, but you see men and women poor quality garments whose build suggests they labour for a living. Guardsmen are patrolling as well, and here in the Temple District there is no shortage of clerics greeting the sunrise out of doors.

At the entrance to the Temple you are met by Ember, who smiles with genuine warmth on seeing you.

"Sister Rosalind!" she exclaims. "Here to coach me on my unarmed combat again, are you?"

[Timble]

Yara is silent for most of the trip. What was she risking herself for this time? The chance to become or create a god? The concept became so much more daunting the closer she got. Not that she could show those doubts to Lothrain. He was one she needed to keep a strong front towards, keep his confidence.
"I've already come this far. I don't know what the Solar will require of me, but I'll be ready for it."
The favour of the heavens... was that the only path to redemption? Why should she care for what the gods decided was right? They were just mortals turned into, in her opinion, semi-mindless beings tied to their alignments. What she had seen of gods and their outsider servants was how limited they were compared to humanity. If she was to become a god, it would have to be a new kind. If only she had the time to research.

[dantiesilva]

There were few things as enjoyable as simply enjoying the peace of the early light when the only people out and about were those with a purpose who worked not for gold but to provide for their families. As she passed these people she would greet them as she passed, stopping to help and hold a conversation if anyone seemed they needed the help or simply wished to talk. She had missed this, the past few weeks had been rather good for her ability to be able to help the poor with funds, however as a result she herself had spent a lot less time being a public figure which was something she was missing. Seeing the people she was helping each day, learning about them had always been a rather enjoyable part of her days. However as things had become more and more chaotic she had not had a moment like this to simply breath in the fresh air and remind herself why she had become a priestess of the Lover's and wanted to help those who needed it.

As she arrived at the temple of Charis Sister Rosalind smiled as Ember greeted her at the door. " I didn't realize you were so adamant on learning Ember. How Theo acts and the rest of the templars I sometimes forget your swords are not glued to your hands." she says with a joking expression. "If you really wish to have another lesson however I have a few minutes I am sure before Theo will notice I am late." she says to Ember, letting the young templar know that if she did want a lesson Rosalind would take the time to teach her another one, though a lot quicker then the first they had as time was pressed, one still had to find time for their friends or else they would begin to feel like they had to do everything on their own.

[ilinares]

Lothrain regards you intently. "And still you persist. Still, you blindly push ahead, determined to hurl yourself into danger for no better reason than that others want you to.

"Well then, never let it be said I didn't try to spare you."

Reaching to his belt, he takes a flask and passes it to you.

"You will need to drink this, child. It will make you ready for the process ahead of us.

"When you have imbibed the potion, you must continue alone while I remain behind. Make your way to the altar of Relath. All will be made clear soon."

Ember smiles wryly. "Considering Theo went to the trouble of buying a locked gauntlet just to make sure he didn't keep dropping his sword," she notes drily, "I can understand why you might think that.

"Well, duty first, I guess. The Father is in his study, meeting with Gunn and… ah… our other guest. I'm sure you know the way?"

[gallagher]

The first goal is to defeat Maltur. Theo said curtly. We have defeated him at every turn, maybe we will beat him again. He'll be after my head for a trophy, but I'm sure Perseus would rather take the demon king's great axe. Melchizar was just telling me that were we to win the day, and slay a demi god, that his essence will scatter and our world would be safe from a similar threat for generations of our people. My second goal is to restore Charis and to see to it that what gods we can convince to help protect our world from the next threat. I'm glad to have your help, Gunn, you are a man that I can count on, and whose advice I will need to help navigate what comes next.

And I thank you for the artifacts. They are necessary for the restoration to be complete.

Theo then heard a knock on the door. Unaware of who could be on the other side, Theo put away the Bones and called to the other side of the door - Announce yourself.

(Assuming rosalind is next to arrive)

[dantiesilva]

"I am hoping soon duty will be done. This has been a rather lot compared to the simple, peaceful life I had been looking for. Something Pacem will not doubt take note of. However given some cold hard truths I have learned recently perhaps it wouldn't be such a bad thing if some of my brothers and sisters came here. We could rebuild, and fix what has been broken for far to long. Pran is an excellent student, however we are only two people and cannot do as much good as we both wish." She explains, though in truth after learning the leaders of Pacem had lied for all this time and not actively been trying to do the task she was now in charge of to save peoples souls she wondered if it wasn't a time for change. The Mother and Father had trusted her and her pupil many times this past month and shown her things no one else to her knowledge had ever acted on.

"Gunn you say? I was waiting outside his office all last night waiting for him to bring me something of my faith and this morning as well and he is here instead of doing what he said he was last night. And he wonders why I have begun to lose faith in who's side he is really on." Sister Rosalind confides in Ember, "Thank you. To many things that belong to my faith are in the hands of others who care not for my beliefs. It's time this changes." and with that she makes her way to Theo's office and knocks on the door.

"Announce myself you told us all to meet here before dawn Theo. It's me Sister Rosalind." The woman says trying to keep her calm composure after all she had learned. When allowed entrance she looks to those gathered bowing slightly to Melchizar in his cage and saying good morning before turning back to the others. "Do either of you know anything about what happens when a person dies?" she asks, holding her hand up for Melchizar and the Deva to not answer the topic just yet.

[esorscher]

Oh good, Gunn thinks to himself, Another lecture. Despite is internal frustrations, his face and body betray no hint of emotion, or even recognition, at Rosalind's appearance.

[gallagher]

The door opened to Rosalind - I ask to announce yourself because my deva ally, here, is charged to oppose people who enter unless certain requirements are met. Given my current situation with factions of my temple, and the nature of our discussions, I do not care to just swing the door wide for any who come calling. Please, take a seat. Theo says gently, gesturing to the many chairs Rosalind could choose from.

As for Rosalind's question, Theo cut to what was on his mind. Well, if I die in service to Charis and in Her Grace, then I join Her side in the afterlife. Though, in the night, Maltur has claimed me as his next foe which I had just described to the others in this room who preceded your arrival. Theo points to the unholy wound, ever slight, on his forehead. This cut came from his unholy war axe, and I must presume that if he claims my life, then my soul is his to torture for eternity. Though, hey, that's just my suspicion. Please, tell us what you came prepared to say, for we need to discuss how we can oppose Maltur's next move.

[dantiesilva]

Sister Rosalind listens to Theo's reasoning for not having an open door policy and when she hears his reasoning she can't blame him. "Sorry Theo, I was up all night waiting for a "messenger" to go and retrieve what seems to be placed before you." she explains as she accepts the chair offered to her and takes a seat.

As Theo begins explaining what he thought of the afterlife she nodded along as if agreeing with him, however looks concerned when he reveals the scar from the deity marking Theo's soul. "When we are done with the matters at hand Theo I will try to research a way to remove such an infliction. Sadly I came prepared for the task of helping both of our faiths. Though had I had these last night it may have been a lot easier." she explains to Theo before explaining to all. "Back when my namesake was still alive she was known for powers beyond most mortals, even clerics. It is said she could remove the essence of undeath itself from a being and return them fully to life, which I'm sure you can see would be beneficial in this situation. She is not only undead Theo, but tainted by the betrayer, though I suspect our friend there already knows that."" she explains looking over to the cage that holds Melchivar to see if he would confirm or deny this.

"When I died I cam to the bridge of souls, a place where all the dead must cross to get to the halls of judgement to be judged, and if found worthy sent to their respective planes of existence. Those of faith have a protective aura around them which marks them as belonging to a certain religion, or at the very least believing in one of them. These souls are relatively safe when they die, well except in your special circumstance you would sit by Charis's side when you died. However not everyone worships a belief or deity, like Mr. Gunn for instance will be a perfect example. A typical person who goes about their life and pays no real attention to the deities as in the end they don't feed his belly or pay for what he needs. When people like this die they have no such protection when they arrive in the afterlife. And their are wraithlike beings there that feed and harvest these souls. Back before our friend behind you broke one of the paths Granig's followers protected the way from such creatures and probally only a few souls were lost every now and again." she explains waiting to make sure everyone was following along.

"Well Charis seeking to punish the Mother for not stopping her children before they killed a god and did whatever it is they did. I am sure Melchizar's story is much different from the one I am told, and to be honest after seeing what I have I am more inclined to believe him over my own people. The point is to this day the path is still closed as the Black Flame to this day has not been returned to the Mother meaning all the souls that are unclaimed by any deity or worship the Lovers are sitting in a barren wasteland near a chasm being constantly attacked by these wraiths. Granig's forces are spread to thin and if two many of the wraiths get in who knows what will happen. When the Betrayer tainted the Daughter he put more of himself into her then he thought. She holds within her the Black Flame, or at least a part of it with these bones I think I may be able to recover it, and in so doing restore her to her normal state." she explains looking to Melchizar as she says this next part directly. " I also swore an oath in the afterlife before the gods of law, I would not rest nor walk into the halls of the Mother until the day the black flame is returned to where it belongs. If I die I suspect my soul will go to the highest bidder, at a guess I would say between the lady of Sin and the Lord of Lies at the moment, however it could also simply be destroyed. So I am asking you all to please help me while I help you. Can we please come together for the betterment of all humanity?" she asks all those gathered.

"Theo it sounds like you need someone by your side who has had untold time killing beings of unknowable power, and with him unwilling to learn anything but war I see few options given the circumstances. Before we leave this room can we come to an accord of some kind?" she asks hoping to free Melchizar for they would need all the allies they could get.

[Timble]

Yara nods and looks at the potion. Well, if this is the way it had to be. She quickly downs it and hands the flask back.
"Thank you. I do not know what will happen but if I do not see you again, I should tell you Krom is dead."
She doesn't stay for an response.

[ilinares]

Your words seem to make little impact on Lothrain as you walk away; certainly there is no sign of the emotional response you might expect from a man who learns his daughter's killer has been slain. But whatever is going on with him, your business lies in front of you.

The Crusaders at the door give you a warmer welcome than you are used to - which means only that they don't glare at you or try to turn you away. In short order you are shown to a broad hall with a high, vaulted ceiling, the room dominated by a statue of Relath and a polished marble altar. Before the altar is a silver summoning circle, and the being standing in that circle is unmistakably angelic - an androgynous figure, its body seemingly formed from living gold, its wings formed of pure light. There is a palpable presence radiating from this being, a tension at the edge of your senses; and merely being close to it soothes some of the tension from your shoulders.

Unfortunately, the next sight to catch your attention ruins any calming effect the celestial had caused. For among the five Crusaders in attendance, you see Arbiter Lothrain, in a ceremonial robe of white and gold completely different to the clothing he wore moments ago, raising his hands in joyful greeting.

"Yara! Thank Relath you are here. It saves me having to send for you. As you can see, we have… What's wrong?"

Something is indeed wrong, a twisting, painful sensation in your gut.

Roll a fortitude save please.

[Timble]

****… what an idiot I am... Yara thinks. Too focused on hiding doubt to question things... If I live I can never trust anyone's identity again...

"Poisoned by imposter," she tries to say.

Fortitude: [roll0] … hmm :smalleek:

If possible, will attempt a Null Psionics Field to test if magical:
Concentration: [roll1]



I should note that Yara's daily preparation is Inertial Armour, Mind Blank and Conceal Thoughts as they last all day. Nothing that has any effect now. I really should add Empathy to the list, may have uncovered the imposter :smallfrown:.

[ilinares]

Yara takes 4 points of constitution damage and is sickened.

Lothrain rushes to your side. "Medic!" he barks at one of the other Crusaders, who hastens out of the room - presumably looking for a cleric with a more helpful spell list.

The solar regards you with alien eyes, deeming to see beyond the flesh. When it speaks, its voice is a deep bass rumble, stirring something deep within you even as your insides threaten revolt.

"The substance you have imbibed is not of this plane," it pronounces. "Mortal magic will be of no avail. It appears the enemy wants very much to prevent your undertaking this quest.

"I surmise that our foe has chosen devilsbile because it has few known cures - and those few involve acts of unspeakable depravity, such as consuming the flesh of a celestial. The perpetrator seeks to thwart your redemption by driving you deeper into sin.

"You have a few hours, I would judge, depending on your fortitude.

"But if your time is short, what you do with the time left to you is all the more important. If you go this day to face Granig's judgment, I counsel you to cleanse your soul first.

"This is the quest I would set you, child of Feron, if you are earnest in seeking redemption. Travel to the land now known as Old Ganthar. There, you will find the mountain where the covenant between Ganthar and the gods of Law and Good was forged. In that sacred place, you will petition Relath by earnest prayer until He answers you, for however long that takes.

"If Relath is willing, He will open the Way to Bastion, heavenly citadel of the Archons. At the heart of Bastion, you will enter the Wellspring of Light from which all archons are born. Its transforming power will destroy you - and, Relath willing, remake you in its own image.

"Bear the Chalice of Relath with you, and its fate will be bound to yours. Succeed and it will be purified, even as you are made pure. Fail, and it will be lost to us.

"You need not go alone. Others can help you reach the place of vigil, and support you in your trial. But it is you alone who will determine the success or failure of the quest."

Melchizar makes no reply to Rosalind, but the deva Hadurel speaks into the lengthening silence.

"What Rosalind reports is true. The unclaimed dead cannot reach the afterlife until the Way reaching it is reopened. The Sentinel will not do so until Torae has brought Her wayward servant Vlarath to justice."

"But," Melchizar adds softly, "if control of the Ways no longer lay with the Sentinel, perhaps another might prove more forgiving."

Hadurel gives the barest of nods. "Regardless, it is a moot point. Rosalind seeks to cleanse the Daughter. So too does Theodore. Thomas Gunn has already offered his support to Theo in this matter, as I understand it. Or at least relinquished his claim on these." He points to the bones of Saint Rosalind.

[Timble]

Yara staggers as the full effect strikes her. She quickly covers her mouth with her hands and lurches forward as she fights off the urge to throw up. But the wave of nausea fades to a dull, constant ache.

She listens to the outsider but remains bent over, her options flashing before her. Time was very short, it may mean her end. Internally she wondered how much celestial flesh was required. Surely with healing magic to dull the pain and regrow the loss, celestial flesh could be eaten without damnation as a good deed on the celestial side. On the other hand, it probably required something lethal like the heart. That and the followers of Relath probably didn't have the moral flexibility to even consider the first possibility. Her only option was Relath.

"Lothrain," she says in a strained whisper, trying to keep focused through the pain, "I'm going to need all the fortifying magic your healers can give me, at least that lasting long enough to fight off the next few waves. I'm going to need some form of teleportation to get me there. Send messengers to the wizards and other temples if you can't source that here."

She grabs hold of Lothrain to straighten herself up then breathes deeply to center herself through the sickness.
"Thank you, solar, for this chance," she says with the very shallow bow. "I will go to Old Ganthar and I will bring back the purified Chalice. Is there anything you can do to aid me on my quest?"

[dantiesilva]

Melchizar makes no reply to Rosalind, but the deva Hadurel speaks into the lengthening silence.

"What Rosalind reports is true. The unclaimed dead cannot reach the afterlife until the Way reaching it is reopened. The Sentinel will not do so until Torae has brought Her wayward servant Vlarath to justice."

"But," Melchizar adds softly, "if control of the Ways no longer lay with the Sentinel, perhaps another might prove more forgiving."

Hadurel gives the barest of nods. "Regardless, it is a moot point. Rosalind seeks to cleanse the Daughter. So too does Theodore. Thomas Gunn has already offered his support to Theo in this matter, as I understand it. Or at least relinquished his claim on these." He points to the bones of Saint Rosalind.

As Melchizar states that if another controlled the Ways things could be different Sister Rosalind nods her head in agreement. "I believe we both agree that the Daughter should retake her place as the rightful guardian of the Ways instead of the Sentinel."Choosing her words carefully due to the deva in service to Charis before them Sister Rosalind says referring to herself and Melchizar as she turns to see if he had the same idea.

However when the Deva speaks about the bones of Saint Rosalind she lifts her hand up. "Thomas Gunn had NO claim on these!" Sister Rosalind says to the deva though looking directly at the man who had been the holder of her trust since she arrived on New Ganther this latest insult was one to many to overlook. "Hadurel I assume you know what these are? Well then let me add Thomas was supposed to hold onto them for me until those of my kin were able to come and retrieve it and as none of my kin have claimed it they should have been returned to me last night when I asked for them and he said he was having them brought to me. So not only are these artifacts in no shape form or way his to give, he stole them from my faith and tried to give them to another, just as Melchizar was kept from me on a quest I asked my FRIENDS to help me with to free the soul of Brother Obren and countless others that were to be used in a ritual to bind the Daughter to the will of humanities enemies." Sister Rosalind says now turning to Theo for he was the one keeping the figure of her faith locked away from her after all the times she had helped him, including saving him from being killed by Naill when it came to reclaiming the sword at his side.

"You wish for my help Theo to reclaim the Daughter or even stop her then I will be having back what belongs to my people. And Thomas, if our friendship ever meant anything to you find someone new to hold the trust. It is clear you no longer care for what we were trying to build together and I will not have a thief holding onto the money that could help the people of this city." Sister Rosalind says, drawing the line in the sand. To many times she had helped these people even when it didn't sit well with her, to many times did they ignore her requests not to kill everyone they saw and offer a chance for surrender, and with this last betrayal she would no longer aid these barbaric people without first making sure it did not hurt her own faith. Melchizar would be free this day to return to his duties and find peace before he returned to the Mother or her aid would not come to the Daughter.

[esorscher]

Gunn ignores the insults hurled by Rosalind, resisting the urge to lay all of her slights against him on the table. Instead, he says simply: "You asked me to help you improve the lives of the people on this island. Yet, now you seem entirely concerned by your beliefs about what lay beyond this life. Indeed, you have lost even your own humanity. It is you who has abandoned our common purpose." Confident she will repeat her lecture about the importance of the afterlife, he waves his hand dismissively at the notion. "It is out of my hands, now. Your trust will be put toward good use, to the purpose you contracted me: improving the lives--the lives--of the citizens of New Ganthar. If you wish to find someone else to oversee it, you may do so. My time is valuable to me, I will not work for you for free."

[gallagher]

ENOUGH. Theo says sternly. He paces the room to grab a glass of water, and looks outside the window so as to not stare daggers at his allies. Everything I have done, I have done in pursuit of two things; he growls, loud enough to be heard in the room but soft enough to not carry outside the door. To defeat Maltur, and to restore Charis. If anything I have accomplished, anything I have done, has been to the disadvantage of any in this room, so be it. I am sorry. He turned back around to face the group.

We are running out of time. Theo urged them. Maltur will come in few enough hours. We cannot spend another hour arguing. Thomas Gunn, we have worked hard to save lives together. If Maltur succeeds, all our efforts had been for naught - it will be hellfire for every soul we saved. Rosalind, your concern extends to what lay beyond - I know that we desire the same end, that Charis be restored as the Shield, to return Her to the side of the Righteous. If we do not defeat Maltur, restoring Her will only cause Her to once again choose to Fall from Grace. Anything venom we have for each other MUST be put on hold until after Maltur is defeated.

And for that we need a plan. We need to discover where Maltur intends to strike Theo continued. I know not what kind of trap we can lay, but we need more than our strength alone to emerge victorious. Melchizar has offered his assistance to that end, and until Yara arrives and the remaining artifacts to restore Charis are gathered together, I find his offer favorable. What do the rest of you say?

[dantiesilva]

"I say your simplifying Melchizars duties however his freedom is what I seek. I believe he has suffered long enough inside his prison. He wishes to return back to his original duties the Mother gave him is that not correct Melchizar?" Sister Rosalind asks him directly this way the words were not hers but his. "As for help, had I had these..." she says picking up the bones of Saint Rosalind, "when I asked for them a part of cleansing Charis may have already been figured out, or at least a way to restore her to life and no longer undeath." she explains to Theo. "My namesake had a talent of being able to take the negative energy out of people from what the stories say, I planned to try and harmonize and commune with them however as we see I never received them." Sister Rosalind explains before adding, "IF Malture come's in two days and the runes are failing do we really have the time to try and wait to restore her? We need to restore the chalice which Yara has, why don't we focus on one task so we can complete all, with the chalice restored we get one step closer to our goals of making sure people don't live their lives in constant war and spend their afterlife being tortured simply because they choose not to believe in anything." Sister Rosalind says.

[gallagher]

The original duties he was given by the Mother was to slay immortals. Melchizar, though long-incarcerated, will not be so for long. He and I were talking minutes ago about how he would be of greatest use in fighting Maltur. To that end, I agree, we should give aid to Yara as best we can. I will have a page Send to the Arbiter and ask how we might be able to help. We can discuss how you feel Melchizar's release should be conditioned, and I will be glad to hear your thoughts, and if they may have changed since we first came across Melchizar? Much has happened, and new facts have been revealed since then.

I will not bury the lead, though you may have discovered some part of the ritual with careful study of these bones, I already have the entire ritual. The point of keeping them secreted away was so that they were available at precisely the right time. That is why I intentionally moved Melchizar here, and why Gunn and I have been carefully orchestrating certain motions with absolute discretion.

[ilinares]

Melchizar nods slowly. "I was created to enforce the law of death," he says softly. "I cannot be other than what I am. I will help you kill Maltur because it is my nature."

Hadurel regards him with open contempt. "And then he will go looking for more victims. He is an assassin. He will never stop killing."

Lothrain nods once, then lays a hand on your shoulder. "Relath grant you the strength to endure this trial, Yara."

At his words, your body is flooded with power, a working of divine magic that bolsters your endurance.

Yara gains a +6 enhancement bonus to constitution for the next 17 hours.

The Solar for its part shakes its head. "It is not my role to influence the outcome of this quest. However much I might wish to. You must succeed on your own merits, with such support as your actions in this life have earned you."

Lothrain grimaces at that, looking thoughtful.

"Teleportation magic is not really a cleric's strong suit. Unless your allies can help, you might need the Arcane Fellowship - specifically the Council. As far as I know, only Abrogar - the former Elder of the Council, now in prison for his part in Martak's rebellion - has the ability to take you to Old Ganthar directly.

"The Waygate is an option, but a risky one. It's been used recently enough that the Enemy will be guarding it closely.

"There are no obvious choices. But, then, I never expected this would be easy."

[Timble]

"Thank you. I'll return once my quest is over," Yara says. Once she has the Chalice, she disappears into the realm of dreams.
(Dream Travel)


Yara suddenly appears in the room, appearing healthier than usual thanks to Lothrain's magic.
"Oh good, you're all here. I've got the Chalice and a few hours to live. Someone's poisoned me with devilsbile and I'll only survive if I purify the Chalice and myself. Or eat Hadurel. Sorry that this is rushed but I don't have much time. Can you help me?"


That reminds me, knowledge checks on Devilsbile to see if Yara knows the source of it:
Planes: [roll0] (I guess it comes from devils)
Arcana(?): [roll1]
Religion(?): [roll2]

[dantiesilva]

"And what if he doesn't wish to fight Malture? Did you ask Melchizar what he wished to do? His purpose may be to kill immortals doesn't mean he doesn't take pride in doing what he does. Look at the trophies he had, and the story he took with them to remember each foe defeated." Sister Rosalind says to Theo noting that Melchizar may want to kill immortals, that didn't mean you could simply tell him who to kill and he would just do it. He seemed to enjoy learning about his target and gathering a keepsake of theirs from what she had seen then simply killing them for the sake of it. Each person slain in truth lived on in the one who killed them for he kept their memory alive. "As for the ritual you know what you need and who you need that doesn't exactly mean you know how to do each thing. Its like cooking, just because you have the directions doesn't mean something can't go wrong if you don't know what your making fully."

I wish for Melchizar to be free simply put. He was created to destroy people who became immortals and tried to cheat death and since he has been locked away beings like Shroud (Lich guy), the knights of the Eternal Vigil, and countless others have risen up where Melchizar would have been able to stop them before they caused the amount of damage they have on this world. What makes Melchizar so different from any other outsider created for a purpose, what makes him different then the fallen angel we meet in the plane of shadows who fell because he refused to serve a lie. Melchizar lost faith in his post, he couldn't see what the Mother and Father see, and he was never given a reason as to why he could no longer do what he was meant to do. He was simply told guard this bridge and stop killing these new deities.

Turning to Melchizar she speaks directly to him. " If you were given a chance to serve your purpose once more would you aid us? I am not saying you can go around killing whoever you want, I am saying the Mother had a plan, one I doubt even if she explained it to you now you would understand fully. I think a part of it however was she saw a time when the bridge would be destroyed and she hoping to save as many as she could sent you to guard it. I ask you to find faith once more Melchizar, if not in the Mother and Father in me. Malture will destroy the world and the Betrayer would see everyone dead and under his control including yourself. Countless other forces seek to destroy reality itself and you were once the champion who stopped these monsters from doing so. Allowing us mortals to rest at ease, never knowing the struggles you faced each day for us even if it was not intental. Serve humanity once more Melchizar, protect us from the forces you all to well know wish to destroy everything they can in their quest to cheat death. Become whole once more." Rosalind pleads with the ancient vampire hoping she could appeal to his sense of honor and purpose as if they gave him a defined list of who to kill they would be no better then those who wished to use him as a weapon. But if he were willing to choose to protect humanity once more as he did in the past by destroying those who wished to cheat death there was a chance he could find his own version of redemption.

@Hadurel "And what is your purpose Hadurel? What purpose gave you life and kept you from falling? You call Melchizar an assassin because he was created to stop beings trying to cheat death however tell me what is the most likely kinds of people who wish to cheat death? Those who would wish to help bring peace to the world, or those who would wish to see it crumble and rot, to twist it to serve their needs? You angels often sit up in the heavens looking down on us mortals, you see the damage one is about to cause years before it ever happens and allow it to play out for good or ill unless someone calls on you for aid. And even then it is one who is highly blessed by their deity if they are to get your attention. Melchizar saw a problem and fixed it with the rules he was instructed to follow before any other gods were born yet. You fault him for simply being born when you could be just like him if the Sentinel so choose it. I do not excuse his betraying the Mother, however I will defend him from being called an assassin, especially by a being who knows how hard it is to change their nature." Rosalind reminds the Deva that all outsiders had a hard time changing from what they were and it often destroyed them in the process.

Basically trying to point out to the angel that like himself, Melchizar no doubt can't change so easily he was created to destroy and then told what he could destroy. For him to change he would have to first find a reason to and then find a way to go through with it. So calling him an assassin is like a deva of Berun calling Hadurel a murderer because he is "the sword of justice" for instance and kills people who are evil/demons.

[roll0]

Added Knowledge the planes to try and see if she knows what Hadurel's purpose is [roll1]

As Yara asks for their aid Sister Rosalind immediately answers yes as she tries to go through her memory of what the poison was and its effects on a person. "We were just discussing Melchizar's release before you showed up and I believe he could be a great ally and helping make sure you reach where you are meant to be if you had a foe poison you with devilsbile I suspect we will need all the help we can get.


Heal [roll2]
Religion [roll3] As it ties into the church of the master of lies and lady of sin no doubt
The planes [roll4]

[Timble]

"I... uh... I'm not bringing an evil god killer on a quest to impress a good god," Yara says. "Oh, I should explain it. I'm to pray to Relath on the mountain that the gods made a deal with Old Ganthar on. We need to go to Old Ganthar and I can't bring us there. Can Manny teleport us that far? Or perhaps planeshift twice then teleport if out of range. I probably need to go now if I want to live."

[esorscher]

The philosophical intricacies of the divine is not something Gunn readily understands, or cares to comment on. But Yara's question is straightforward enough. "If we can find some way to view the mountain, Manny can then teleport us there--or close to it. Otherwise, we can try planeshifting, but there's no guarantee it will be close."

[ilinares]

Melchizar listens to Rosalind's speech, looking troubled. "You think only the depraved seek to cheat death, Rosalind? There are many who sought divinity for a cause you would see as noble.

"It is true that I was once a champion, a leader of armies, in service to Torae. That I fought against the enemies of the Creators, who would defy Their dictates by seizing immortality. Did I protect mortals in doing so? It seems to me as many sided with the would-be gods as against them.

"I long for those days - for the clarity of purpose, the certainty, the freedom to act as I was created to. I was made to fight a war that has ended. Can I find a purpose in peace - or embrace a new war? That is the question."

He falls silent for a moment, reflecting. Finally he sighs.

"In the short term, I welcome the chance to battle Maltur. That was what the Father here asked of me, and I relish the prospect. But you speak of the long term.

"You speak of finding faith. Of trusting that Torae had a purpose in all She did. But if I cannot reconcile my fundamental convictions with the actions of my Goddess, how can I serve Her?

"Should I say that all Torae does is, by definition, right - however wrong it may appear? That if She does that which I perceive to be wrong, it is either my perception or my convictions that are at fault? I do not know that I am comfortable with such blind obedience. Could you do it, Rosalind? Could you continue to serve Kirest, if He commanded you to kill?

"It is one thing for a mortal to have a change of heart and serve a new cause. Outsiders are not given the same freedom.

"And then you want me to place my faith in you, Rosalind of Pacem. So I ask you this: if the goddess who created me can betray me, how can I place my faith in a mortal? I know your kind well. You serve this cause in your youth, and abandon it as the years mellow your views. Today you are poor, and believe in equality; tomorrow you will be rich, and equate taxation with theft. You change like quicksilver, a new persona for every situation. I can no more trust the constancy of a mortal than the mercy of a scorpion."

He lapses into a pensive silence, giving you a chance to speak with Hadurel. The deva considers your words and has the grace to look abashed.

"Perhaps there is truth in your words," he says softly. "I, too, was created for battle - to confront evil, to defend the righteous. I cannot criticise another being for having been created a soldier. No, he is deserving of my pity: I pity him that he was created without a shred of morality, that he is blind to matters of good and evil. It is no doing of his that he was so created.

"But even if I do pity him, it does not change my duty. He would slay every god in the heavens, given a chance. My duty is to stand in his way."

Melchizar looks at the deva, shaking his head. "Would I? In truth, I am no longer certain. If I could feel the joy of fighting immortals once more, would it trouble me that there were other immortals I was not fighting? I cannot be in two places at once. I have to start somewhere. Why not in the Hells?

"Might there come a time when there were only the Heavenly immortals left to fight? Perhaps. But it seems to me that I would face many battles before that became an issue. The odds of my running out of immortals you would gladly see killed, before I am myself destroyed, seem long enough to make me a safe bet.

"So I say only this: I will gladly pledge my sword to the cause of opposing Maltur - and even Vlarath, our past allegiance notwithstanding. And I will fight for that cause until it is won or I am slain. Must we dwell unduly on what happens after that?"

After Yara abruptly materialises, Hadurel reacts to this talk of being eaten with revulsion and a tightened grasp of his blade. Melchizar's reaction is just as visceral, but not because of her gastronomic choices: stares at her, his eyes narrowing, a blade of pure darkness forming in his hands seemingly without conscious thought.

"What madness is this? You expect me to patiently endure the presence of one standing on the cusp of immortality?"

He holds himself with unearthly stillness, blade down and to one side, only his eyes showing the intensity of his emotions: but the heat of his hatred could melt iron.

[esorscher]

In Melchizar's words, Gunn finds a truth worth considering. "Time is finite. Our needs are dire. Worry about tomorrow, tomorrow. Let this being join us in our goal."

[gallagher]

Theo listens patiently as those around him continue to discuss what they envision for the role of Melchizar, and other matters, until Yara arrives. The shock of her appearance, and the indignant response of Melchizar and Hadurel, required his swift response.

Hadurel, please continue to guard Melchizar, under the previous direction. He said, as he guided his companions to circle around. Yara, I promised you long ago that I would remain by your side through whatever trials came forth. I wish that your soul had healed before now, but there remains one more challenge for you. I will be there with you all the way.

sorry Dantie, you're post is just too big to respond to in a concise manner, and I don't like doing endless streams of spoilers. I'd rather we just try and come to an agreement OOC and aim for a good team-friendly conclusion, so I instead had Theo listen patiently

[Timble]

"Great, now we just need to decide on a route. I think Old Ganthar is too far to directly teleport, Lothrain mentioned Arbrogar as the only one powerful enough to reach directly. However plane shift, inaccurate as it is, can bring us easily within teleport range. We just need some method of scrying the mountain. Or I can Dream Travel us the rest of the way, plane shift displacement will take at most an hour forty to travel.

Yara pauses to think.
"I'll go pick up Manny and bring him here, while I'm gone find a way for him to scry. Should he be at your place, Gunn? Meet back here in at most half an hour. Anyone got any long-lasting fortitude boosting spells?"

(Will Dream Travel to where Gunn says Manny should be).

[dantiesilva]

Melchizar was indeed asking the right questions Rosalind noted and it showed that he had thought over his crimes for all this time. He may not show the pity or regret that was expected of him, however he did from her point of view see that his actions could have been different. "Why Melchizar that is a question us mortals ask ourselves almost every day. Ask any priest that serves if everything their god does is always right even if they see it as wrong and you will get the same confusion. So I will answer it the way I can, others will no doubt have a different view and that is okay. We are each created as individuals given the ability to think and reason. You have mortals like Those of us gathered in this room who look at things from a limited point of view compared to Hadurel and your own. And no doubt you look at many of the nobler things we do as evil and wrong. So to would a god then look at you and see things differently. But the Creators are even older and more alien then the Gods, their line of thinking is far beyond what we would see as right or wrong. Where you may see centuries ahead they look through different timelines. And let me tell you this Melchizar, I was in the halls when you were sentenced to imprisonment." Rosalind states unsure if he was able to sense her when this took place or even connect the two very separate timelines together. "I only heard one side of the conversation however from the power the Mother showed when the Sentinel challenged her on not stopping you showed that she did not believe you betrayed her in the sense others do. I suspect she saw you as she does most of us, as a child rebelling and trying to find its place in the world. So neither person is wrong when it comes to beings who see things on different perspectives. I am sure in your mind, as well as the Mothers and Fathers when you were created the immortals that rose up needed to be destroyed and stopped or else the balance would be destroyed. However as time went on things slowly began to change until a time where those who became the 21 were I suspect very different from those you fought in the wars of the past. Immortal yes, however something changed about them, what I cannot say I was not there though you were and that is what led the Mother to stop you from killing them. Perhaps she saw a time of peace as we have had, or perhaps she saw a need for allies as you yourself said you cannot be everywhere at once and she knew you would need aid against a new threat. I do not know, and neither did you, as such thinking you were betrayed rightfully so you took a deal to for fill your purpose again. Only to be called a traitor and imprisoned by those who are almost identical to you. But the one you served never called you a traitor or hunted you down to stop you did she? While the Betrayers name was struck from most records your name remained taught to all children of Pacem and followers of the Lovers." Sister Rosalind explains hoping this would help him see that perhaps things were not exactly as he saw them.

"As for killing, my task is to stop the Betrayer and return Anathema to the Mother so he can no longer spread the undead to cause havoc and chaos throughout the world. In truth I believe the box has already been opened on that, mortals have learned how to do so without divine magic so I don't believe by stopping him undead will stop being created outside the Mother's domain. I do believe though that they will be easier to stop without his influence. My task in this life is to protect all living things, he is not alive but an undead creature, and I say this with no offense Melchizar, but he is outside that of even devils and demons that have some form of mortality and sense of life, even if it is not the correct one in my own eyes. Would I kill a living being if Kirest demanded me to, I do not believe I could I have lived my entire life with the belief of never killing a single soul. Violence itself is best avoided if possible. I hope this answers your question as to what would I do, and helps you get a judge of who I am."

When Hadruel points out Melchizar was created without a shred of morality Rosalind gets an idea. "Could two beings share the essence of morality Hadruel?"

The others have seen this, Rosalind was dead so she had no idea he could do this [roll0] Hopefully roll high enough to know it is at least a part of the black flame.

"Melchizar I did not know Yara was on the cusp of immortality so I apologize that her presence disturbs you. However it is a problem that you did say moments ago that you would start in the hells yet you pull that.." she points to his sword "Out the moment she arrives." Sister Rosalind explains trying to place herself between the vampire and Yara to block his line of sight of her. Then again Gunn was on the side of agreeing to set him free and worry about the future at a time when it wasn't going to be the end if they didn't accept the help offered them.

Holding off on asking Theo to allow them to set M free until Rosalind knows if she could "share" a part of her morality with M as she is considered an outsider now due to the saint template. My idea is have M go scout out Maltor and look for his weakness's and prepare for battle. This keeps him away from Yara while also setting him free and showing him we are trusting him to uphold his end of the deal without us babysitting him.

Sister Rosalind simply waits for everything to be decided on Yara's mission as her life was the one in danger and it was her mission. She would accept whatever choice Yara made on her quest, even if it meant leaving Melchizar behind for now. It also helped that he didn't want to be around her, and dangling another immortal in front of him would be pushing him to close to that tipping point where he might relapse and accidentally kill someone.

[ilinares]

Slipping effortlessly out of the physical world, you make your way through the twisted dreamscapes of Ganthar's residents. Many of the images you see are dominated by conflict and fear: images of the army of Feron seen from the perspective of the invaded nation, swollen to nightmare proportions.

You spot a variation on the same theme: memories of sailing beneath draconic wings, part of an army that thought itself invincible. It is a memory tinged with irony, with the bitterness of hindsight; and you bring yourself out of the dreamscape through the mind that spawned those images.

You emerge in a crowded tavern to general exclamations of alarm. Immediately in front of you is a mostly clean table, at which Manny sits with a plate of eggs and bacon, his fork frozen half way to his mouth. He stares at you for a moment, eyes slightly too wide, then lets out the breath he had been unconsciously holding and continues with his breakfast.

Taking their cue from Manny, the other patrons gradually return to their conversations. The psion gestures to you to take a seat, and then signals to the barkeep to bring a drink over.

"The infamous Yara," he muses. "Betrayer and murderess of Feronax. Hardly someone I would expect to pay me a social call. Are you here on Gunn's business, or your own?"

As swiftly as she arrived, Yara is gone again; and, with her disappearance, Melchizar relaxes, his sword fading away.

While he musters his thoughts, Hadurel picks up the thread of discussion Rosalind left hanging.

"You speak of sharing one's morality with another. You know not what you say, mortal. To excise part of your soul, the part that resonates with the song of the Heavens, and graft it to the spirit of another being: these are unspeakable acts, and would do lasting harm to you both."

Melchizar gives an ambiguous grunt at the deva's words. Meeting Rosalind's eyes, he says softly: "I will not permit anyone to twist me into something I am not. Not you, not Torae, no one.

"You mean to return Anathema to Torae. But Anathema - the purest, most deadly essence of Torae's power - is an inseparable part of me, as much as it is a part of Vlarath. The manifestation may differ - in my hands a weapon to kill even a god; in his, a wellspring of negative energy with which to empower undead and necromancers - but they are two sides of the same coin.

"I have no wish to argue further. You desire my sword at your side when you face your greatest foes, and I am glad to give it. But I will not be unmade for a cause that is not my own."

[Timble]

Yara sits down.
"Feronax betrayed me first," Yara said. "And as to murder, I had surprisingly little to do with his death. Feronax led his army to their deaths while he tried to seize power, he betrayed you all. I did what I could to save the survivors."

Wait, why am I even arguing with him... focus.

"My business and Gunn's. We need to get to Old Ganthar in anyway possible and fast. Preferably straight to the mountain where the gods made a pact long ago, or at least within a few hundred miles of it. And you are a teleporter. Can you get us there?"

[ilinares]

The psion shrugs. "Seems to me you know a bit about psychoportation," he observes. "I can manifest teleport, but I have to have seen the place I'm going. Preferably to have been there, got to know it well. I've never been to Old Ganthar, and wouldn't have a clue where this mountain might be. You overcomethat
and I'll gladly ferry you there."

[dantiesilva]

"I was not aware, I am sorry I brought it up. As for forcing you to do something Melchizar I have said it once already and I will keep doing so until the day I die. I will not force you to do anything. To do so would take away your free will and make whatever good or evil you do not worth what it would mean if you choose to do it yourself." she explains to the ancient vampire, making it clear she would much rather he decide his course of actions when performing a task.

Hearing that both he and the betrayer in their purest forms were Anathema though in different forms shocked Rosalind slightly. "Prophecies are never easy, nor the things the gods ask of us. You say the Betrayer is one part of Anathema and you are the other. yet you agree to help me destroy him and return what was stolen to the Mother so long as you remain unchanged. I can promise I will take no part in nor aid in your destruction Melchizar so long as you do not go back on your word. You have given me much to consider Melchizar thank you. If you wouldn't mind when you are not going around keeping the balance and doing the duty you were born for I would very much enjoy another conversation with you on any topic." she says before holding her hand up to the cage and looking to the others to make sure none would stop her, before releasing him from his prison.

[Timble]

Yara nods.
"That's what I've tasked the others to do. I'll bring us back once you've finished here."

[ilinares]

With a shrug, Manny settles down to finish what remains of his meal. He glances up periodically, uncomfortable under your gaze, and puts aside his cutlery with a sigh after a few more mouthfuls.

"No, I guess I don't feel much like eating after all.
Let's get going."

[Timble]

Yara leans across the table, grabbing a piece of bacon in one hand and Manny in the other.
"Then off we go."
(Dream Travel)

(Is Rosalind releasing Melchizar?)
(Can she do that? I forgot the conditions. I thought it was Theo or Yara who could do that.)
(Also, Yara's coming right back, he now hates her. Please no.)

[ilinares]

Before Rosalind can free Melchizar, Yara and Manny reappear in the Temple, the former clutching a rasher of greasy and slightly overcooked bacon. Melchizar's expression shows his revulsion plainly, but he refrains from drawing his blade.

Sighing, he settles back down on the ground. "I can see I must wait a while longer. Well, I have waited generations; I can wait another day or two.
Just make sure I'm not stuck in this box when the avatar of Maltur comes for you."

[gallagher]

- While Rosalind was chatting with Melchizar, Theo was seeking his theurge, tasking her with producing a scroll of Scrying that we might be able to use. Were that insufficient, Theo sends one of the acolytes with a purse of money to get the needed scroll. -

Theo walks in on his office, returning with haste. He sees Rosalind putting her hand up to the cage and says What are you doing??

And then Yara reappears, with the psion she sought out. Rest assured, Theo said to Melchizar. We will be at full strength to fight Maltur. We will smash him and commit his remains to the Infinite. He looks to Rosalind - When the time is right.

Theo then turns to Yara. I see you are ready. Shall we begin? You told us that you are to pray at the mountain in Old Ganthar. Do you know what will lay between us and the mountaintop? And do you know what you will do when you get there?

[Timble]

Yara hungrily gobbles down the bacon, she hadn't eaten today, and ponders Theo's questions.
"I've just been told to get to the mountain and pray. Hopefully nothing lies in the way, I plan to get right to the top straight away. Old Ganthar is dangerous though, so I'll probably need you as guards if anything shows up. Haven't thought of a suitable prayer yet, I'll come up with something."

While she waits for the scrying to begin, she paces about the room aimlessly, stopping occasionally in front of Melchizar to stare at him. Being helpless in the attempt to save her life made her restless and impatient.

[esorscher]

"Alright then. Let's do this." Gunn says.

[gallagher]

As a man who prays, I can tell you that it isn't rehearsing old words. Open up your heart to the Righteous and be earnest and vulnerable. Theo said patiently. The gods can see right through to our core, they know when you're honest and know when you are hiding.

And I will stand watch and guard you, all along the way. Theo said as he put his hand on the shoulder of the giantess, she with a seed of the divine. We need the Chalice to succeed, and if you bring it back restored to it's former state, I'll owe you a debt beyond calculating.

When Gunn mentioned that it was time they were off, Theo nods, and produces the scroll of scrying. Mr Gunn, if you would please, look to Old Ganthar and plot our course.

[esorscher]

Gunn nods, accepting the scroll, and begins casting the spell using a suitable nearby focus.

[dantiesilva]

- While Rosalind was chatting with Melchizar, Theo was seeking his theurge, tasking her with producing a scroll of Scrying that we might be able to use. Were that insufficient, Theo sends one of the acolytes with a purse of money to get the needed scroll. -

Theo walks in on his office, returning with haste. He sees Rosalind putting her hand up to the cage and says What are you doing??

And then Yara reappears, with the psion she sought out. Rest assured, Theo said to Melchizar. We will be at full strength to fight Maltur. We will smash him and commit his remains to the Infinite. He looks to Rosalind - When the time is right.

Theo then turns to Yara. I see you are ready. Shall we begin? You told us that you are to pray at the mountain in Old Ganthar. Do you know what will lay between us and the mountaintop? And do you know what you will do when you get there?

When Theo ask's what Rosalind is doing she looks at him as if the answer was obvious. However when Yara appears once more she lets out a resigned sigh. "To redeem your goddess we keep adding more and more things to the list instead of simply doing the task. The chalice needs to be redeemed and thus helping Yara is not only a thing a good friend would do, but also helps your cause. Allowing Melchizar to be out of his cage for more then a day before you expect him to do battle is also a wise decision. I doubt he has been able to practice as he would like in a long time and he could use the time in our plane actually preparing for the battle you need him for. Keep in mind he is a member of my faith Theo on a mission I asked for help. Just as you asked for help with the mission we are doing now and before that your sword. I didn't tell you what to do with it or how to use you faith when you asked for aid, I would like it very much if you stayed out of my own faiths affairs. Melchizar and you had a deal, and it seems he is content with starting with the immortals who reside in hell first to resume his duties. Why are you stopping me every time he agrees to help us? Keeping him locked in a cage after he has agreed to help is foolish and dangerous as it shows you are going back on your word. I will not compromise myself for YOUR beliefs any longer. Melchizar when you are released do you promise to not kill Yara?" Sister Rosalind asks him before adding. "If she is out of your sight when you are released will it be easier?"

[Timble]

Rosalind's insistence to release the vampire had always worried Yara before, even more now that Melchizar was personally after her.

"Rosalind, he is not a member of your faith. He is a figure in it, a betraying figure that led to Valacles gaining power, but not a member. He does not share your beliefs or your values. He is a much a member of your faith as I am. Or any evil undead, specifically created with your faith's stolen power. Melchizar is a threat to all gods which makes him a threat to all faiths and possibly the whole world. His fate can't solely be left to you merely because he was created by your gods. If we are to release him we need a well defined contract, which now must specifically mention not murdering me, and preferably a way to stop him should he break it."

"Also, did Theo just say that Maltur is coming?"

[esorscher]

Oh good, Gunn thinks silently to himself, unwilling to distract himself from the casting of the spell, Let's keep fighting--I don't really want to go to Old Ganthar anyway.

seriously, what if the ending to this amazing story we've been telling is, "and the heroes were unable to put aside their differences for the greater good, so their enemies attacked them individually and slaughtered them--except Gunn, who got everything he wanted.

also seriously--any contract we make needs an enforcement mechanism that none of us can provide, since we can't harm Melchizar.

[ilinares]

As Gunn focuses the mystic energies needed to scry on your destination, Melchizar regards Rosalind wearily.

"I will make no such vow," he says quietly. "I cannot sit and exchange pleasantries with an abomination.

"This I will offer, child of Kirest. Keep this barrier between me and your nascent godling for now. Free me when Maltur is at hand, and I will give you my word to fight him first and then depart, leaving her unharmed. For I will prioritise which abomination I kill first.

"Lay your hand here," he continues, indicating a sigil on the surface of the cage. "You will bind the spell that frees me to you, that wherever you are - on this or any other plane - you can summon me to side."

As he finishes speaking, the surface of the mirror Gunn has chosen for his focus clouds over. At first, you wonder if the spell has failed; then you realise that there is texture and motion to the whiteness. You are seeing a mountain at the heart of a snowstorm, a raging blizzard making it all but impossible to see detail.

But Manny regards the scene intently, and nods decisively. "Adequate," he pronounces. "Ready when you give the word, Gunn."

[dantiesilva]

As Melchizar tells her about the sigil and being able to move the binding to herself so she could free him from anywhere she looks at him directly. "I am putting my trust in you Melchizar that you did not deceive me into weakening your prison or freeing you to slaughter Yara." Sister Rosalind says before raising her hand up and placing it on the sigil. It was a small act of trust to be sure, however it could be a step the others needed to begin to trust what he said to be true.

Knowledge Arcane [roll0] to see if that sounds right
Knowledge Religion to see if the symbol seems to add up with what he is saying [roll1]
Sense Motives to see what he is actually thinking at this moment [roll2]

If any of these come up as dubis intent or she believes it could weaken the cage endanger those in the room she won't place her hand on the symbol without letting those better equip in the arcane to study it.

[ilinares]

The magic used to create this prison is ancient and powerful, beyond even Rosalind's skill. That should hardly be surprising considering who created it. Still, so far as Rosalind can tell, what Melchizar says is true. Trusting to her intuition, she lays a hand on the indicated sigils.

Arcane symbols form in the air around Rosalind's hand, formed of shimmering silver energy. Moving sinuously, they twine around her outstretched arm, sinking into her flesh. As the light fades, it marks her skin in a complex tattoo, all twisting lines and archaic glyphs.

Melchizar regards Rosalind with an inscrutable expression, then shakes his head. He says nothing further, merely settling down to wait.

[gallagher]

While Theo waits on Gunn to finish scrying, he moves to stand next to Yara. There would not be a moment where his sword could not protect the half-giant. Where you go, I go. I will not leave your side until it is time for your prayer. I fear that you will be alone in the presence of the divine, but I am confident you will emerge afterwards cured and whole. Are you ready?

[esorscher]

When everyone is ready, Gunn gives the signal to Manny to teleport them to Old Ganthar.

[ilinares]

You experience a familiar surge of vertigo as Manny wrenches you across thousands of miles in a matter of seconds. To add to your discomfort, the second you reappear - still fighting to hold onto your stomachs - you are plunged into bitterly cold conditions, into howling winds that whip icy shrapnel into your faces and drifts of snow up to your knees that hamper movement. The air is thin here, threatening to sap your strength quickly, and visibility is no more than ten feet in any direction.

But Gunn's senses are not hampered by such things. To his Mindsense, two presences blazing on the mountainside are immediately apparent. One is an ancient and powerful devil of considerable intellect (INT 26).

The other is Natalia.

So it is that Gunn alone is unsurprised when the priestess's voice is heard shouting over the storm:

"Welcome to the Mountain of the First Covenant, my friends. We have much to discuss."

Ahead of you, you can dimly make out the warm light of a fire. While the wind does strange things to sound, Gunn can confirm Natalia is at the source of the light.

[Timble]

"Thank you Theo," Yara says with a sad smile. "I only hope deserve your dedication."
She thinks of the upcoming ritual. can they both get what they want? Can both Charis be restored and Dalvar's power repurposed to the greater good? Or will she be able to choose only one?

(Atop the mountain)
Yara internally screamed as she heard Natalia's voice. Not done with just poisoning her it seems. Was her invisible devil here too? What about the rest, anyone could be hiding in the storm.
"Hi Natalia..."

You get a mind blank and you get a mind blank. Everybody gets a mind blank.
Yara manifests mind blank on everyone.
"...fancy seeing you here..."
Only Yara gets an energy conversion. Energy Resist 30 + Rays
"Don't mean to be rude but can it wait a bit, I have a date with a god and I really don't want to miss it."
Sensing surface emotions as per Empathy. Preparing Null Psionics in case of hostile power use.

[gallagher]

"If it cannot wait, you'll have to walk and talk, Natalia. We are on a mission with life on the line." Theo said, all the while contemplating the significance of the location. The Mountain of the First Covenant; what a grand name for such a desolate place. Theo wondered if the snow fell as thick then as it does now, or if gods are even hampered by snow to begin with.

[esorscher]

Just go along with it, Gunn whispers telepathically to Natalia. And rest assured, we're on the same side. Glancing at Rosalind, he adds, Well, I am at least.

Bluff: [roll0]

Even I don't know whose side Gunn is on. Maybe he is telling the truth, maybe he's lying, WHO KNOWS?!?!?!?

[ilinares]

As you draw closer, you can see that the fiery glow is coming from a rectangular opening in the air: visually it looks like the doorway of a tent, perhaps enchanted to be invisible when the entrance is closed. Or perhaps it is a portal to another plane; certainly the climate within looks far warmer and more welcoming than the blizzard where you find yourselves.

Natalia stands inside, reeping the benefits of the warmer surroundings. Beside the opening, in the open air, stands the devil Gunn sensed earlier: a twelve foot humanoid shrouded in batlike wings, drawn around it like some grotesque cape, its horned visage everything you might associate with the archetypal demon. It is shrouded in flame, even in these conditions, and radiates a palpable aura of unholiness.

"I'm afraid not, Theo. For you are engaged on a quest that violates the very core of the Sentinel Accords. In the name of my Lord Valacles, I formally object to your presence here and your efforts to restore the Chalice - and through it, Charis Herself.

"If you proceed, I will have no choice but to consider you in breach of the Accords your own Goddess instituted. And the consequences would be severe.

"So sit and talk with me. Surely we can negotiate a peaceful solution, given time and will enough. Let us pass a few comfortable days in debate, that the alliance which holds back the demonic horde even now might not be needlessly imperilled."

[dantiesilva]

As the group was teleported to an unknown place, Sister Rosalind did her best to protect those with her as best she could given the tools at her disposal and the short time she had to prepare. Thankfully the bittercold seemed to do nothing to the woman who walked around barefoot in a burlap sack type dress or else she no doubt would have frozen to death up on this mountain. She could only hope those with her also had ways to stay warm as the one voice she wished not to hear spoke up from the distance.

Remaining quite Rosalind listened to what all parties had to say before seeing the smallest of flaws in Natalia's logic and pointing it out to all among them. "Lady Natalia is not Realth a part of these accords as well? Did not Charis fall so that the gods of god and evil could fight side by side in the purpose of law to hold back the demonic hordes?" she asks waiting for the response she suspected would follow, along with the rebuke that the woman would no doubt use. She could only hope Theo saw the same link as herself and began to chip away at it as well for he was more well versed in the accords then she herself was.

[ilinares]

Natalia smiles at you. "The Accords place different obligations upon each signatory, and grant differing rights of enforcement. We are here concerned with the obligations owed by Charis and Her followers to Valacles and His. Relath can go jump for all I care."

The priestess beckons you on. "Now, shall we discuss this inside like civilised people, or do you want to keep yelling and freezing your backsides off?"

[gallagher]

Theo bites back his tongue at first, fully knowing that he wanted to spit in Natalia's face for all she has done to stand in his way. But not yet, the entire house of cards would fall soon enough, but they had to fall at precisely the right time.

Natalia, he said into the blustering snow piling at their feet. You may accuse me of what you will, but you are looking for conflict where there is not one. Yara has been tasked by the Temple of Relath, and I am here in aid of her. Truly, were it not for Yara, I'd be in my Temple performing my duties as High Priest. Instead, I must be here under my duties as Champion. Your suspicions are unfounded and I will not deign you with some meeting when my holy duty is to protect Yara.

He waited for the shock of his words to fall. My elder priest once told me that it is the way of our temple was Duty, Honor, and Justice (https://forums.giantitp.com/showsinglepost.php?p=21249527&postcount=847). I will not stray from that path because you are suspicious. Yara had been released into my care after Judgment from My Lady, Charis Herself. I had promised to help earn Yara's life back, and to deliver her to Charis for her coming second trial (https://forums.giantitp.com/showsinglepost.php?p=21247297&postcount=843). Yara is restoring her soul upon this mountaintop, and I promised her that I would be there every step of the way.

So if you want to press rights under the Accords, you may speak to me or my lawyer, or take it up with Charis Herself. But Mister Gunn is coming with me, so if you'd like to speak to either of us on what privileges you claim to press, you may walk and talk.

Or freeze here. Though your fate is not my concern, I would gladly leave my healer to accompany you in the endeavor. She is just as eager to talk as you are; no doubt the two of you could spend hours in the snow.

[esorscher]

Gunn raises an eyebrow as he looks from Rosalind, to Natalia, to Theo, then back to Natalia. "Sounds like we'd rather keep freezing our butts off. Unless you've got Endure Elements prepared," he throws away with a wink.

[ilinares]

Natalia is silent for a moment, seemingly having not expected such an able retort from you.

"I do not deny that you are in a difficult position," she says at last, her voice soft. "To fulfil your duty to Relath, you must breach your duty to Valacles. But make no mistake: there is a conflict of duty here. Continue up this mountain, on a course so firmly in opposition to my Master, and He will have just grievance against you and your Lady under the Accords. And until that wrong is righted, He will be within His rights to suspend all services He is providing under the Accords.

"Hear, then, what General Mescartes has to say on the matter. General?"

The devil clears his throat before speaking with a cultured baritone at odds with his monstrous appearance.

"Indeed. At this time, there has been a concerted push by demonic forces loyal to Maltur, focusing on a Way held by part of Relath's celestial host. The Crusader is sorely pressed, and the Sentinel has despatched a force of Her own to shore up the defences. At the same time, She has invoked the Accords to despatch a legion of devils in a counter attack, a precision strike at the leaders of the demon horde.

"Alas, if we are prevented from making that counter attack, there will be no relief from the pressure on the defending forces. Casualties will be substantial."

Natalia speads her arms in a gesture of helplessness. "There we have it. Of course, there is an alternative. If you quit the field, Theo, then the Accords will no longer be imperilled. Let these others proceed without you. I am sure the General will be glad to accompany them in your stead."

[esorscher]

Gunn listens to Natalia's words, and the Devil's, attempting to discern the truth. Sense Motive: [roll0] He whispers telepathically to Theo: It's a stalling tactic.

[gallagher]

Theo listens to Gunn's words. Or he listens to Gunn's thoughts. In this matter they are one in the same; Natalia may or may not be bluffing, but her motive is clear. Theo had to choose his words carefully, but he would not cede ground to the woman.

In fact, Theo thought he could turn the tables on her.

I am not in a difficult position. You are trying to put me in a difficult position. All you have done is shout accusations and hope that I'll let my charge die. You haven't even elaborated why my helping Yara in her mission with our ally is in violation of the Accords. To the hells, the Chalice was in your temple when it was put in this state. I don't expect you to help in restoring the artifact to its former state, but to stand in the way is treachery.

Theo's voice began to thunder above the wind in anger. Not enough to start an avalanche, but enough that nobody could mishear his words. And if it weren't enough that I am amending your past failure, you try and use that to refuse aid to Charis. How dare you. I will not stand here and take another word from you. If you refuse to answer the call, then that is yet another of your failures. Send assistance to Relath's host, or I name you oathbreaker.

Theo turned to his team, put his hand on Yara's shoulder to reassure her that he wasn't leaving her side, and said to the others. We are here in aid of Yara, not to tarry with Natalia. We have lost precious minutes already. We are leaving. He began to leave his party up the mountain. Gunn, keep alert. Natalia wants me out of the picture. Don't relax until she is out of range.

[Timble]

Yara speaks to Natalia before she follows Theo.

"Theo is here as a witness only. He has no influence over the Chalice or involvement in its purification. Once the Chalice is purified it will be returned to Relath's temple. You have no reason to object to or obstruct this mission as it has only the goals of saving my life and restoring an important artifact of your ally. Charis can not be redeemed while Maltur lives, leaving your accusations as paranoia and threats as treachery. Until such a time, do not get in my way again."

[ilinares]

Natalia weathers Theo's fury in silence, and makes no move to stop you as you march past her. The devil bridles, and for a moment you think it means to attack; but a gesture from Natalia restrains it.

Even so, the frigid climb up the treacherous mountainside is a tense one. It is not until Natalia and her pet devil slip out of range of Gunn's Mindsight that the tension begins to ease.

The going gets steeper as you press on to the summit, making it a real challenge to continue.

if you want to proceed on foot, I'd like a Climb check from each of you - or you can use any magic that might assist.

[Timble]

Yara activates her flight, using her strength to aid those unable to fly or climb.

[ilinares]

Perseus bounds up the steep incline like a mountain goat, well used to traversing harsh terrain after a lifetime in Ironshield lands. From time to time he pauses to help Gunn up the mountain, compensating for the other's inexperience.

Yara, for her part, draws on the psionic gifts inherent within her to bypass the challenge, lifting herself through the air by force of will alone.

Theo, laden down by his armour, struggles the most, slipping as a rock he thought to use for a foothold falls away beneath him. Without timely intervention he might have plummeted to his death; but Yara grabs him just in time, lifting him up the mountain by main force.

Manny follows Yara's example, flying up the mountain and keeping a close watch on Rosalind, supporting her as needed to reach the summit.

After half an hour of steady climbing, you emerge through the clouds to a lofty peak. You are above the storm here, although the air is dangerously thin at this altitude.

If you take a standard or full round action, make a Fortutide save against DC 15. Failure means you take 2d6 nonlethal damage, which you may roll for yourself.

You are still out of sight of the summit when Gunn draws up short.

Your telepathy reveals that there are minds on the summit. One is a humanoid of moderate intelligence (Int 10). Another is a fiend very similar to the one Natalia had summoned, although not the same one (Int 26); a second, different in kind but almost as cunning, is also in evidence (Int 22) together with a group of six lesser fiends that are plainly of a kind (Int 12)

Roll initiative. Because of the advance warning from Gunn, you get one round to act freely. Note that you are still 100’ short of the summit and those climbing move at one quarter speed.

[dantiesilva]

As the group left Sister Rosalind stayed close to the edge of the group, tagging a bit behind them as to best protect Yara with her magic circle against any deceitful tricks from the devil or its mistress. So when they make it to a point where they must begin climbing the priestess visibly relaxes. "I didn't think she would let us pass with so little resistance, I fear what she is going to do at your temple while you are here Theo. She has already made it clear her lord will not hold up his end of the accords after this and she knows Niall will no doubt see things her way as well in this and will try to splinter your church. I hope you have a good speech ready for your people." Sister Rosalind says concerned for her friend. She understood the reason he was walking the path he was, she could only hope it did not break him.

When Gunn warns them of their enemies above she curses, knowing that it was to good to be true that she would not have tried to stop them. "I can't promise this will help fully, however devils do like fire, I can only hope these ones do as well." Sister Rosalind says before casting a spell, protecting the group from fire type attacks.

Every one has Fire Resistance 30 for the next 160 minutes
Also would we be taking the 2d6 damage due to needing to breath, as Rosalind doesn't need to breath.

[gallagher]

Niall has long mistrusted Natalia, but no doubt he will not like the words he hears of this before we return. If we have time, it would do well to cast a Sending to him to relay the truth. All the same, my Temple will endure or it won't. We have gone too far to turn back now. Theo said stoically, not meeting the priestess's gaze at all and brushing her concern to the path behind them. Niall and others were in the room when Michel relayed the dire warnings of Charis. The coming strife has been foretold.

The way up the slope had turned steep, and Theo stumbled more than once. When Gunn calls for a halt and describes the fiends in front of them, Theo cautioned. They might not be aggressive. The Pact stands, and we do not know if these are from Natalia or on different purpose. It could be that Valacles sees to protecting these mountains. Be wary, but do not provoke them into attack.

[Timble]

Yara finds a flat enough section to sit upon.
"We shouldn't provoke them," she agrees, "But I fear the worst. And in these conditions I may not last long. So I shall prepare."

That said, she leaves her body behind. Her incorporeal self flies into Theo's sword. Her psicrystal remains hovering near her body to keep it safe.

Steelsteal.
Fort Save: [roll]1d20+16[roll] for air
Initiative: [roll0]

[ilinares]

Above, Gunn senses the minds reacting to your presence. They seem sluggish in comparison to him, giving plenty of time for preemptive action.

Gunn & Perseus 23
Fiends 22
Yara 8
Theo 7
Rosalind 4

[esorscher]

Gunn casts Haste on the party, while Perseus activates his boots of flying, moving as close as he can to the enemies without getting out of range for any additional spells to be cast on him by Rosalind, Yara, or Theo.

[ilinares]

Approaching the summit, Perseus finally catches sight of their destination. At one point, it must have been a holy place. It is dominated by three statues, two of which can be identified from their remains as Charis and Relath, within a circle of standing stones. The weather worn stones are still marked with the remnants of inscriptions, although it is not now possible to read what is written there. An altar of stone sits at the precise centre of the circle.

Even without a particularly strong faith, it is impossible not to feel revulsion at what has been done here. Fresh blood and faeces have been smeared over every surface. The statues have been torn down and given the same treatment. On the altar lie the remains of a woman who has been horrifically tortured to death.

The raven haired woman presiding over this atrocity wears unfamiliar, diaphanous golden robes, the silver holy symbol around her neck marking her as a cleric - though of what deity, Perseus cannot guess. That it is not Valacles is good enough.

There are three types of devil in evidence: a twelve-foot crimson humanoid creature with horns and bat like wings, with no weapons but its own formidable claws and teeth; a second similarly sized creature, this one ice blue and insect like, wielding a barbed spear; and eight seven-foot humanoid devils, their pale and hairless bodies covered in bony spikes. As you watch, the smaller fiends continue their campaign of desecration - but the larger two leap to the attack.

The chitinous blue devil bounds forward and makes a gesture with its free hand, sending a cone of ice cascading towards Perseus.

44 cold damage, reflex dc 19 for half.

The other devil spreads its wings and launches itself aloft, passing within 20Â’ of Perseus. As it does so, the heroic warrior feels unnatural fear rising within him, and has to struggle against the tide of panic.

DC 27 Will save or become panicked.

Regarding the rest of the party where they are struggling up the mountain, the devil smiles menacingly and makes an unmistakably magical gesture with each hand - a different spell with each. Viridian energy twists down the mountain, snakelike, and tries to ensnare each of you; at the same time, a sphere of flame erupts in your midst, engulfing you in terrible heat.

DC 27 Will save or become paralysed. If you fail the save, you can retry each round on your turn.

32 fire damage before taking resistances into account, DC 21 Reflex save for half

Yara, Theo and Rosalind can now act.

[Timble]

When Theo teleports ahead, Yara focuses on the ceremony. While not the immediate threat, who knew what would result. The devil's certainly think it important.

She reaches forwards into their minds, hoping to seize control.
"Kill the priestess," she commands, directing them towards their human companion.

Targeting 4 of the lesser devils at the ceremony. DC 22 Will or Dominated 1 Hour.

[gallagher]

Theo, sensing Yara's presence within the Sword of Tariel, knows that he must protect his charge. And yet, he cannot do so without engaging the devils in combat. He had no choice, and decided to close the distance between he and the assailants.

Theo cast Dimension Door, putting himself up next to the altar so that his enemies would all have to be in front to physically attack. He notices the priestess presiding over this desecration, and remarks. You have made a terrible mistake; and now you must pay for it.

swift action is to use Law Devotion to give Theo more armor, giving him a +7 sacred bonus to AC

[dantiesilva]

As the others go off to battle Sister Rosalind makes her way up to Yara's body and takes on a defensive stance around it, this way her aura would still protect her allies and keep the devils away from Yara and herself before she casts a spell hoping to weaken the devils for the others.

This will hit the big guy and the ice devil if they are within 15ft of each other, if not big guy and the priestess
[roll0] str damage Fort DC 26 for half
Big guy sr [roll1]
Ice devil/ or priestess depending on position [roll2]

[ilinares]

Rosalind sends a blast of silvery energy at the two most powerful devils, hoping to weaken them for the fight ahead. The blast strikes a pair of identical cobalt barriers, dissipating to no effect on the fiends' arcane defences.

Yara is more successful, breaking two of the four devils she targeted to her will. They turn to regard the priestess with naked hostility, slathering in anticipation of the violence ahead.

As Theo appears in the midst of the desecrated holy site, he feels deeply profaned by what he sees around him. He senses that the corruption goes beneath the superficial, attacking at the spiritual nature of this once holy site.

An unhallow spell has been cast on this area. Theo would sense the magic circle against good tied to that, but has no information yet on the secondary spell effect accompanying it.

The devils' mistress regards Theo with a faint smile. One hand goes to the unholy symbol at her chest - a gleaming silver representation of two nude figures entwined together.

"Father Roost. It is you who has erred in coming here. Now you will pay the price for your foolishness."

Gunn & Perseus 23
Fiends 22
Yara 8
Theo 7
Rosalind 4

[esorscher]

Perseus manages to avoid most of the Cone of Cold, and flies into the rage that accompanies battle, regaining a portion of his spent vitality and then some. Rather than engaging the massive devils, Perseus tactically opts to attack the cleric, hurling himself at her in a barrage.

Leap Attack, Power Attack, Raging, Reckless Charge. Bardic Inspiration, Haste, Blessing.

[roll0], [roll1]
[roll2], [roll3]
[roll4], [roll5]
[roll6], [roll7]
[roll8], [roll9]

Gunn then attempts to dismiss one of the larger batwinged devils. (Will Save DC 42-HD of Creature).

[ilinares]

You will never learn the name of the priestess, or why she dared stand in your way. Bare seconds after Perseus joins the fray, he stands drenched in her lifeblood above her dismembered corpse.

The spikey - one might almost say barbed - devils rush Perseus, with the exception of the two under Yara's control who stand motionless now their orders cannot be carried out. They lash out at him with raw ferocity and savage claws, individually little threat but mobbing him from all sides. Each seems eager to seize him and impale him on the spikes protruding from its body.

20 to hit for 16 damage. On successful hit, improved grab: deals extra damage by impaling you if it wins a grapple check, result is 26, damage if it establishes a hold: 25
29 to hit for 10 damage, on hit grapple 30 for 21 damage
22 to hit for 14 damage, on hit grapple 25 for 16 damage
32 to hit for 10 damage, on hit grapple 25 for 25 damage
29 to hit for 18 damage, on hit grapple 42 for 23 damage
32 to hit for 19 damage, on hit grapple 32 for 15 damage

In addition, for each successful hit make a DC 20 Will save or be affected as by a Fear spell.

The massive devil shudders at Gunn's attempt to force it out of this plane, but proves once more resilient to magical assault.

"A credible effort, magus," it rumbles in a captivating baritone, "but futile."

Sweeping its gaze over the party, it settles on Theo. With a cruel smile, it sends a bolt of shimmering amethyst energy at the cleric; it washes over him without doing direct harm, but tears into the various enchantments currently affecting him.

Using the single target option. Caster level checks as follows. Remember, DC is 11 plus the caster level of the spell's caster.

Haste 35
Warding gems 29
Mass conviction 19
Steelsteal 35
Interfaith blessing 24
Divine protection 19
Mass resist energy (fire) 26
Bardic inspiration 37
Exalted raiment 28

A few extra checks in case I forgot any (assign from highest level to lowest, your choice between spells of equal level):

21
30
20
35
27

The potent fiend from the darkest depths of the hells gives a low chuckle, and follows up his first spell with a more direct assault - tossing a sphere of flame at Theo and everyone within 20' of him.

36 fire damage, reflex DC 21 for half, figure is before deducting resistances.

The chitinous blue devil vanishes and reappears just outside Rosalind's warding circle, its footing sure in the snow. It snaps its mandibles at her, then looks with its multifaceted eyes to the unconscious psion at her side. No human emotion can easily be imputed to such alien features, but the intensity of its regard is unmistakable.

Gunn & Perseus 23
Fiends 22
Yara 8
Theo 7
Rosalind 4

[Timble]

Yara chuckles as the priestess is cut down, instants after making her threat. She turns her attention to the major devil approaching them, only to feel the dispel taking effect.

Yara opens her eyes. Banished again, Steelsteal didn't have a good track record.

She looks towards the monstrous devil looking over her and Rosalind, and moves to be further away from it while still in the priestesses protective field.

"Did you think us easy prey?" Yara asks, focusing her energies into a massive but concentrated burst.

Using Lens to Maximise. Devil takes 126 Cold Damage. One foe in 15ft of target (Doubtful, but the power is concentration and will target a foe that moves into range) is the secondary target and will take half that.
In the event of this power being still operational on first targets death, Yara will retarget the other major devil.
Oops, forgot save and power resist. DC 22 Reflex halves. Power resist roll in ooc

The two devils under her control are instructed to aid Perseus fight their comrades. Additionally, they are to telepathically explain what they were doing here.

[dantiesilva]

Sister Rosalind watches events unfold as Perseus charges into the other priestess, no doubt one of the lady of sin, before he himself is swarmed by devils for cutting down their mistress. "This means they were not summoned by the priestess, no doubt she used magic to bring the larger one here and he then called them." she thinks to herself as she then watches the apparent leader send a shimmering amethyst light at Theo stripping away at some of his defenses, and as she looked at Yara opening her eyes by her side sending the psion back to her body. "Everyone focus on the big guy. I believe if he is defeated the magic holding the rest of the devils here will expire." she calls out to everyone as she places herself directly in the path of the ice devil so it couldn't charge at Yara, while moving in such a way to also keep everyone within her circle that had absorbed the full blast of the fireball that had come for her.

"Father I need your aid, lend me your hand so that I may help more then one of my friends this day." Sister Rosalind prays and moments later ten magical lights appear floating around her head, one of which she immedietly sends flying at Theo, striking him and seeming to restore some of his vitality.


Placing myself in a way that the Ice devil can't charge Rosalind, yet can still keep everyone within her circle. Note the devils have to have SR higher than 33 to get within that 20ft. radius Rosalind Covers meaning Standard Devils, only the pitfiend would be able to get into her barrier (Rosalind obviously doesn't know this however and thus the reason she moves to stop it from charging Yara. But this would also make it so unless Perseus was on the outside of her barrier he is not actually swarmed right now as they can't get in.

Standard Action to Cast Darts of life (http://dnd.arkalseif.info/spells/complete-champion--57/darts-of-life--595/index.html)

Sending one dart flying at Theo (after that fireball he will be hurt with no Energy Resistance no matter what so best to top him off) Free Action heal for [roll0] + 38 temp hp, and other stuff that doesn't go into effect as he doesn't have any of those conditions.

9 Darts remaining

@Party I didn't target the big devil myself for 2 reasons, my only good attack spell requires a save and SR to damage it while the other one it can simply teleport away and with the party fighting so many enemies that can do a lot of damage quickly best to have a second healer out just in case.

@DM Religion check on the woman's holy symbol before she is cut down [roll1]

[ilinares]

The ice-blue devil looks well accustomed to frigid climes; but never has it endured such terrible cold as this. It gives an unnatural shriek as the temperature around its body plummets. Chitin cracks; one eye visibly freezes; the whole left side of its body contorts in agony, and even after the power has run its course, one arm still hangs useless at its side. Yara has visited such torment upon it as it has never known, but it yet lives, its one remaining eye gazing steadily at the author of its anguish.

The devils under Yara's command lay into their peers with a will, but while they do so are telepathically revealing what they know to the psion.

It proves little enough. They were summoned here, to a site they mentally shudder to describe - a holy place, dedicated to the powers of Law and Good. The priestess had them aid her in profaning it, befouling the statues and committing other acts of depravity that they describe in sickening detail in this once holy place, while she channelled the powers of her goddess - Indai, Mistress of Sin - to corrupt the spiritual essence of this location.

As to why they were to do this, they do not know. These devils were here as lackeys, and were not trusted to know their summoner's plans.

Rosalind recognises the unholy symbol of Indai, Mistress of Sin. Also, as far as I know, nowhere does it say a summoned creature vanishes if the summoner dies.

[gallagher]

The great fiend that struck down a few of Theo's magical defenses was strong, indeed, but at the same time could not overcome every protection Theo had. With Yara no longer in his sword, he could use his body once again to protect his friends from these foes who had desecrated a holy site to Charis.

He considers a Radiant Charge, hoping that a solid hit would help protect him, but the fiend's reach would prove difficult to overcome and his foe would have too easy of a time shredding Theo to pieces. The fiend could dispel, but possibly wouldnt want to use every round doing nothing but trying to target Theo with spells that did no damage.

Theo decided that the best thing would be to make himself a target to fight, one on one. Theo casts Righteous Might, growing in size and strength. Theo let out a mighty roar to challenge the fiend, and spent a moment channeling the fury of the gods to ever improve his might (animal devotion, ape's fury).

[esorscher]

Perseus, having slain his foe, looks for another worthy of his wrath. He finds one in the ice devil, and assaults it with full strength.

Leap Attack, Power Attack, Raging, Reckless Charge. Bardic Inspiration, Haste, Blessing.

[roll0], [roll1]
[roll2], [roll3]
[roll4], [roll5]
[roll6], [roll7]
[roll8], [roll9]

Gunn, instead, attempts to persuade the undominated barbed devils to depart the field. Using Mass Suggestion, he telepathically encourages them: Go home.

[ilinares]

At Gunn's telepathic instigation, all but one of the lesser devils vanishes in a cloud of fiery smoke, the attendant stench of brimstone making breathing still more unpleasant.

The last devil tries desperately to seize hold of Perseus as he bounds away - but misses, claws closing on empty air. The heroic dwarf launches himself into the void, using the fall to close a distance he could never have managed in the time alone; accelerating at bone-jarring speed, he crashes into the ice devil like a meteor. The impact alone fractures chitin; the ensuing whirlwind of steel and sinew reduces the devil to a foul pulp, which dissolves away before your eyes.

The elder devil regards the slaughter of its minions with something close to respect in its eyes. Disregarding Perseus as a threat for now - perhaps not unreasonably, as his leap off the mountain puts him more than 100' from the fiend - he focuses on the supernaturally enlarged Theo. It speaks a single word in an ancient language of power - and on hearing it, Theo finds his thoughts slow to a glacial pace, his body locking rigidly in place.

Theo is stunned for 1 round with no saving throw.

Voicing a sinister laugh, he flares his wings and approaches Theo. At his signal, the last of the lesser devil moves into a flanking position.

"Thus perishes the Champion of Charis, like a lamb to the slaughter."

Everyone except the stunned Theo can now act, but please remember (except for Gunn) you are 100' down the mountain with no line of sight to Theo and the devil.

[Timble]

Yara ends concentration on the power as Perseus cleaved her target apart. She takes a step towards him and guestures to Rosalind.

"Ok, come with me back up the mountain," she tells them both.

(Psionic Dimension Door a respectable distance from the main devil so Perseus can charge)

She directs the devils under her command to aid Theo in fighting the last remaining threat.

[dantiesilva]

As Yara calls everyone to her Sister Rosalind listens understanding that they needed to get near Theo quickly so he wasn't in this alone. As the group reappears at the top of the mountain within visual range of Theo and the devil Sister Rosalind notices Theo not moving as if frozen somehow and sends another of her darts flying at the champion of charis, this time infusing his reflexes for a brief moment.

Free Action Eight darts remaining, Theo is cured for [roll0] + 15 temp hp, Healing Kicker (Reflex saves) for a +5 competence to Theo's reflex saves for 1 round, he is also cured of all of the following conditions with a healing type spell, Dazed, Exhausted, Fatigued, Sickened, and Stunned and thus can act this round

Seeing Yara vulnerable from taking them all up the mountain Sister Rosalind asks the Mother to allow the woman to rest safely in the realm of ghosts for the briefest of moments this way she could recover without fear of being attacked. "Yara this may feel a bit wierd, however please don't fight it." Sister Rosalind says as she intones the last word of the spell and Yara seems to vanish from sight.

Swift Etherealness Until the end of Yara's next turn she is ethereal and thus immune to most forms of hurting/killing her.

With her allies safe and seeing that Theo and the others would need all the help they could get to force the fiend to flee the field, Sister Rosalind calls forth heavenly chains to bind the devil, even if only for a moment, it would hopefully by the others the time they needed to strike.

Constricting Chains, no save, no SR takes [roll1] non lethal damage and is counted as entangled (-2 to attack rolls, Dex counted as if it were 4 lower than it is, it also must pass a concentration check DC 15+SL or the spell fails. It cannot move unless it teleports away (Don't think SLA count for the Con check sadly. But hey lower AC is nice, and if it wants to have a slug fest with theo and perseus it is taking extra damage from staying still.

[gallagher]

Theo shudders under the force of the enchanted words, but it washes over him and is soon over. It did not freeze him, as the devil had hoped. with the Devil in his reach, he screamed with the fury of an ape, and slashed out with great force.

Swift Action, Animal Devotion (ape's fury) for +6 str (present total 30) . Full attack, as he is already within reach.

Attack 1 - [roll0] for [roll1]
Attack 2 - [roll2] for [roll3]
Attack 3 - [roll4] for [roll5]

I'll resolve potential crits in the OoC, so as to not jinx myself :smalleek:

While engaged with the fiend, he chose to also engage with words. What brought you here, devil? This is sacred ground, protected by three gods of Law. What do you hope to gain by dying atop some frozen mountain?

[ilinares]

The devil parries Theo's first strike with the flat of its hand, but the second finds the exposed flesh beneath its arm. The devil gives a sharp hiss of aversion as holy fire licks its dark skin - but mighty though the Sword of Tariel is, it was not made to fight devils, and deals only a shallow cut to the fiend.

Drawing the sword back, Theo tries for a second blow - but the foe's terrible wing catches that thrust like a shield.

"Sacred ground, Theodore Roost? Indeed, so it was - but no longer. If I slay thee and thine allies, the Chalice will fall into the hands of my Lady of Sin; if I fail, still thou shalt find that prayers voiced in this place no longer have the ear of the Foolish Warrior.

"The Redemption shall not come to pass. Thy defeat is certain; only the scale of thine undoing remains to be determined."

[esorscher]

Gunn does what he can to limit the archdevil, firing a ray of violet light from his palm.

Ray of Dizziness. Ranged touch, no save, yes SR. If hit, limited to single actions (move or standard) each round.

Ranged touch: [roll0]
SR: [roll1]

Perseus can potentially do quite a bit more, and he once again finds himself careening around the battlefield like a pinball, charging the bat-winged devil from behind.

Leap Attack, Power Attack, Raging, Reckless Charge. Bardic Inspiration, Haste, Blessing.

[roll2], [roll3]
[roll4], [roll5]
[roll6], [roll7]
[roll8], [roll9]
[roll10], [roll11]

[ilinares]

The potent ray of energy lashes out from Gunn's outstretched hand - only to spend itself fruitlessly on the viridian aura that protects this fiend.

Perseus takes the time to set up a flanking maneuver, using the devil's focus on Theo to strike at its back. It senses his approach at the last minute, one powerful claw lashing out as though seeking to swat away a bothersome insect.

43 to hit for 20 slashing damage

With the ferocity that is his hallmark, the dwarven warrior lays into the devil. Out of five attacks, two draw dark blood from the foe - although the supernatural resilience of the creature gives it a measure of protection against Brunhilda.

The devil remains focused on Theo, unleashing its own savage violence against the Champion of Charis.

Claw 1: 41 to hit for 24 damage
Claw 2: 43 to hit for 25 damage
Wing 1: 34 to hit for 16 damage
Wing 2: miss (natural 1)
Bite: 35 to hit for 26 damage plus poison (initial 3 constitution damage, DC 27 fortitude save negates) plus disease (DC 27 Fortitude save, incubation period applies so no immediate damage)

The fiend does spare enough attention to lash Perseus with its serpentine tail.

39 to hit for 17 damage, plus improved grab - opposed grapple check 40, if successful establishes a hold and constricts for 35 damage.

Finally its eyes flash with indigo flame, and a shadow seems to fall over the vision of those standing closest, artificial fear threatening to overwhelm their self-control.

All within 20' of the devil must succeed on a DC 27 Will save or become panicked for 18 rounds.

The lesser devils, driven by Yara's mental commands, lash out at their former master - but, for all the good they do, they might as well have been flies bothering an elephant.

Theo, Rosalind and Yara may now act.

[Timble]

Yara repeats what she did with the Ice Devil, only without the power of the lens.

Spell Resistance: [roll0]
[roll1] cold damage, reflex dc 22 halves.

[dantiesilva]

Sister Rosalind watches as Perseus, Theo and the fiend do battle with one another while Gunn and Yara tried their best to support the pair where they could. So far the battle had been going well, and even in their favor, however all it would take was one fatal blow to change the tide of the entire future the group was fighting for. Checking the wounds of her two allies locked in battle with the monster, she quickly determines Perseus was in the most amount of danger at the moment and rushes to his side while another of her darts go flying at Theo, keeping him alive just a bit longer so the two could do what they needed to drive the fiend from this place so Yara could complete her quest.

Placing a hand on Perseus's shoulder, the priestess of the Lovers channels the Father's light through her as pure creation comes rushing in a golden stream of energy between the two, mending all of the dwarven warriors wounds. "Fiend I suggest you flee back to whatever hell you came from. You are outnumbered, and outmaneuvered staying here now would be a waste of your life in service to the Lady of Sin. For if you do not flee now I promise you will not survive another minute." Sister Rosalind says, clear and confident in her declaration as well as the power of her allies.


Standard action Empowered Heal on Perseus for 243hp healed +57 temp hp, Dazed, Exhausted, Fatigued, Sickened, and Stunned cured (if applicable)

Free Action Send Dart of life at Theo to cure [roll0] +38 temp hp, Dazed, Exhausted, Fatigued, Sickened, and Stunned cured (if applicable)

Simply talking and pointing out common sense to the devil [roll1] Diplomacy gets like a -20 off the bat for being done in combat, and thats as a full round action so it's more talk then diplomacy but wanted to roll none the less.

[gallagher]

Theo is all of a sudden overwhelmed by the presence of the fiend. Unable to think what else to do, he hustles to Rosalind and Yara.

[ilinares]

The devil twists and avoids the worst of Yara's assault, and gives a low growl of satisfaction as Theo begins to flee. With an almost lazy flick of its claw, it strikes at his exposed back.

49 to hit for 26 damage

"Flee?" it asks Rosalind in an amused tone. "That presupposes that you could ever prove a threat to me."

Gunn and Perseus

[esorscher]

Invigorated by Rosalind's healing powers, Perseus uses his boots to escape the devil's tail, then charges once more, unconcerned for his own safety.

Swift action to Boots of Translocate 10' away.

Leap Attack, Power Attack, Raging, Reckless Charge. Bardic Inspiration, Haste, Blessing.

[roll0], [roll1]
[roll2], [roll3]
[roll4], [roll5]
[roll6], [roll7]
[roll8], [roll9]

Gunn once again attempts to Dismiss the archfiend, this time empowering his spell with lyrical words.

Song of Arcane Power (+4 CL) as move, Dismissal as standard. Will DC 46-HD. SR check: [roll10]

[ilinares]

Hardly seeming to notice Gunn's spell, the devil meets Perseus's charge with a rake of its claws - but the mighty dwarf is heedless of the danger, hurtling in and landing three powerful strikes. As has happened before, flaming runes manifest on Brunhilda's blade - dwarven magic that, Perseus is beginning to realise, has somehow become a part of him - and the devil's flesh is suddenly vulnerable to his steel.

46 to hit for 27 damage

Giving a snarl of surprise and pain, the devil regards him through narrowed eyes. "A runelord of Kharheim? The lore of the Hells holds thy kind to be extinct. But fear thou not: it is an error I will swiftly rectify."

So saying, he lays into Perseus with a will, holding nothing back in a deluge of blood and talon.

Claw 1: 33 to hit for 31 damage
Claw 2: 35 to hit for 26 damage
Wing 1: 32 to hit for 16 damage
Wing 2: 30 to hit for 14 damage
Bite: 42 to hit for 19 damage, plus poison (Fortitude DC 27, initial damage 6 CON), plus disease (DC 27 Fortitude save or be infected)
Tail slap: 44 to hit for 23 damage, improved grab grapple attempt 51 - if successful, constricts for 33 additional damage

Everyone is free to act. As Theo has run into Rosalind's calming aura, the fear effect is suppressed but not dispelled.

[Timble]

Yara continues pouring intense cold energy into the devil.
Continuing the power as a full round concentration.
Reflex 22 to halve. [roll0]

[dantiesilva]

Sister Rosalind listens to the devils words before she watches Theo run in fear from it, thankfully her aura was able to counteract the devil's supernatural fear but it only worked while one was inside of it. "You wouldn't be the first or the last to flee from the Mother's Embrace devil. I simply wished to give you that chance to surrender and return from where you came. If you would rather go meet the Mother now however and become one of her gifts from Father then who am I to stop you." Sister Rosalind says kindly, however her voice is strong and sure of the outcome she has proclaimed if the devil would not surrender.

"Theo let me know when your ready to move forward and I shall go with you." she says as the heavenly chains binding the devil in place continue to tighten around it. Most devils would have simply teleported away by now to escape them, however in its blind need to complete its orders it was allowing itself to get hurt by t hem.


Free Action the Chains constrict once more for an additional [roll0] non-lethal damage
Ready Action to move with theo (due to haste all of our speeds should be 60ft base. give or take so Theo should easily be able to get back into the fray.)

[ilinares]

Once again the flood of Arctic power engulfs the devil, its impact lessened by swift evasive action and by its own supernatural resilience. The devil sneers - and falters.

Looking down at the chains wound tightly around it, its eyes grow suddenly wide in realisation; then they roll back into its head, and the fiend falls unconscious to the snow.

7,650xp each

[Timble]

Yara focuses on the unconcious devil. Should she crystalise it? It would take forever. At least her power would recharge. Then, she had another idea.

Augmented for Outsider, 18 Days, and DC. Will 23. Will be using until it works. Slightly more likely then Crystallise.
I think I'll try rolling the saves to save time, here's the first 20. Hooray for small PP regeneration.
Assuming Pit Fiend: PR 32 | Will +21 (If it has any bonus to Will, then only 1's work. If not 1-2)
PR: [roll0] | Will [roll1]
PR: [roll2] | Will [roll3]
PR: [roll4] | Will [roll5]
PR: [roll6] | Will [roll7]
PR: [roll8] | Will [roll9]
PR: [roll10] | Will [roll11]
PR: [roll12] | Will [roll13]
PR: [roll14] | Will [roll15]
PR: [roll16] | Will [roll17]
PR: [roll18] | Will [roll19]
PR: [roll20] | Will [roll21]
PR: [roll22] | Will [roll23]
PR: [roll24] | Will [roll25]
PR: [roll26] | Will [roll27]
PR: [roll28] | Will [roll29]
PR: [roll30] | Will [roll31]
PR: [roll32] | Will [roll33]
PR: [roll34] | Will [roll35]
PR: [roll36] | Will [roll37]
PR: [roll38] | Will [roll39]
Sigh... any other ideas?

[dantiesilva]

As the pit fiend falls to the ground unconscious Sister Rosalind looks at it sadly. " I warned you what the result would be." she exclaims before looking to Yara and the others. "Perseus let me take a look at your wounds. Theo do you have any way to cleanse this holy site prepared? Or should we ask many to teleport back to your temple and ask for a scroll before returning while we wait here?" she asks as she tends to Perseus's wounds.

56hp plus 40 temp hp

[esorscher]

"There is an easy solution we are overlooking," Gunn says. "I am no expert on fiendish physiology, but I imagine separating the head from the torso would be effective in eliminating the threat this creature poses. Not just to ourselves, but to all good people and creatures in the universe. Surely we can agree that an archdevil is beyond redemption?"

Gunn can spam Dominate (DC 30) indefinitely as a class feature. And then would have a Pit Fiend at his disposal. Just think of all the GOOD he could do!

[dantiesilva]

posting from work so no color

At Gunns suggestion Sister Rosalind seems revolted. " You would kill an unconscious foe who is no longer a threat? I agree the chances of him being redeemed are low however not impossible. Him dying while in combat for refusing to surrender was one thing, it was either him or one of you. I can understand that. However at the moment he is a threat to no one and a prisoner. Would you want someone to treat you how you suggested we treat the devil?" She asks afraid of the answer to come. Surely their had to be a better way.

[esorscher]

"You seem to have gone beyond the confines of human mortality," Gunn says. "Why don't you remain here for the eternity it would take to prove the accuracy of your statement. 'Low' seems a poor descriptor for the infinitesimal probability anyone could convince a creature such as this to adopt even a neutral outlook on the universe. We aren't discussing an evil mortal. We are discussing an immortal being, created by the gods for a single purpose: evil. Were I such a creature, I would not expect a band of 'do-gooders' to spare my life upon my defeat."

Dominate class feature (DC 30) will save vs. the Pit Fiend.

Perseus moves into position, ready to charge at the devil should it regain consciousness.

Readied charge action vs. the Pit Fiend.

[dantiesilva]

"Do you forget the fallen angel we found when we went after Shroud? Who would have thought a servant of Charis would have fallen however it was there in the plane of shadows for all to see." Sister Rosalind reminds Gunn, she knew the odds of conforming a devil, even more so one who was simply a prisoner at this point, however killing him simply because it was the easiest option was not the path any good soul would take. Then ends never justified the means. "You would not expect it, just like this devil would not expect it either. However it was not slain in combat, it was rendered unconscious and has become a prisoner in our care. Just like the people who attacked New Ganther and were defeated. It would not show us a lick of mercy I agree with you, however are we not better then a devil?" she asks everyone in the group, surely this couldn't be up for debate.

"Natalia said her forces would not reinforce a border if Theo aided Yara, and we have a devil here now who serves the lady of sin. In exchange for its life we could suggest it instead return to the field of battle and lend aid where Natalia's forces have left undefended. This way it can do no harm on the mortal realm, and it aids our allies, is this an option we can all agree upon if the devil agrees to the terms?" she asks, hoping to find a way to save the creature while also adressing everyone's concerns about it being left on its own whims in the mortal realm.

[esorscher]

"I can accept that proposition, if you can accept that we will kill it if it refuses."

[ilinares]

The various attempts to mentally enslave the devil prove fruitless. As the party debate among themselves, the fiend begins to stir, its more grievous wounds beginning to heal before your eyes.

After a minute, it awakens - although you have enough warning to act before it does, if you feel so inclined.

[dantiesilva]

"You know I can not agree to that just as you could never agree to openly admitting your client is guilty when you are supposed to defend them." Sister Rosalind says clearly frustrated with situation. "If anyone kills that creature in cold blood the weight of their sins will rest heavily on their shoulders until they atone for what they did." she warns as she watches it begin to stir and its wounds slowly beginning to heal.

[esorscher]

Gunn nods to Perseus, who charges the now conscious and no longer defenseless fiend. He will allow Rosalind one chance to defuse the situation diplomatically, but at the first sign of hostility, will charge the most evil opponent they have encountered thus far.

Readying a charge with all the usual buffs:

[roll0], [roll1]
[roll2], [roll3]
[roll4], [roll5]
[roll6], [roll7]
[roll8], [roll9]

[dantiesilva]

"Devil I know you are starting to awaken and no doubt are surprised to still be alive. I offer you this one chance to save your own life for my allies are more than eager to simply kill you and be done with it, if you understand what I am saying and accept to speak with me and not try to teleport away or attack anyone here and now I can promise that until you and I are done talking or diplomacy has failed your life will be safe. What say you for I know a devil while evil will never tell a lie and if you give me your word I will trust you." Sister Rosalind says, as the chains seem ready to tighten once more at a moment's notice.


DC Improbable [roll0]

Of note this is her simply trying to get him to listen to what she has to say, in return he gets to live so long as they are talking and trying to negotiate under the circumstances he doesn't try to flee or harm anyone. So this shouldn't be as hard as the whole "Hey can you go back up Charis and Realth's forces please. In return you get to live."

[gallagher]

As the party bickers over what is to be done with the fiend, Theo interjects. Kill it. Kill it and be done with it. Redemption or no, this desecration is a sin that carries a penalty of death, and we have more important things to do with no time to spare. He enters into the argument.

pretend Theo has more to say on the same subject, and pretend there is a back and forth, so Theo is equally occupied for hte time it takes the devil to start to stir.

The devil begins to blink, slowly coming to its senses. Theo reacts with the religious fervor of a man standing on desecrated holy land. He steps forward and joins the battle against the restrained foe.
Flanking with Perseus, power attack for 5
[roll0] for [roll1]

[ilinares]

The devil lazily opens one eye, a sneer on its face.

"I think not," it says, gathering its power and starting to form an arcane gesture.

But Perseus was ready for this. Hurling himself at the fiend, he chops off the hand the devil was using to cast. Not stopping there, he proceeds to hack the fiend asunder, Brunhilda turning dark with fiendish ichor.

Manny gingerly approaches, looking from the slaughtered remains of your foes to the desecrated ruin on all sides.

"Well, this is all moderately horrifying." Shaking his head, he looks to Gunn. "What do you need me to do?"

[esorscher]

Gunn looks to Theo for direction. With a little effort and a few judicious applications of Prestidigitation, he soon cleans up the obvious degradation of the Temple. The holier aspects would require someone with different skills.

[dantiesilva]

As the fiend refuses to surrender and begins to gather its strength for one last attack Sister Rosalind speaks. "May you find the rest you seek by the Mothers side." and as she finishes Perseus axe finds its mark chopping off the creatures hand from attacking before doing much worse horrifying things.

"The only way to make this work is to undo the work they have done, to reconsecrate this place Manny. Problem is our best bet will take far to long as it requires an entire day to cast the spell. I do have an idea though, it will rely on everyone to work as a focused group however if we are to stand a chance of marginal success." Sister Rosalind says as she walks over to where the Altar stands and lays her hand upon it, trying to allow the golden ice that tried to crystallize evil creatures she fought to begin to form crystal pillars in this corrupted space.

Only doing one for this moment as if it doesn't work no point in typing out a big long post.

Knowledge Religion to perform a special ritual she is making up on the spot [roll0]
Perform Sing [roll1] To help her focus the energies she is trying to work
Concentration check (obvious reasons) [roll2]

[ilinares]

The enemy believe themselves to have won. The sacred place has been profaned, the link to Relath suppressed if not severed. Perhaps with time this place could be cleansed, made holy once again - but by then the undead demigod that was once Charis will have broken free, causing immeasurable harm.

Trying to undo this desecration with the tools at hand feels like responding to a wild fire by spitting at it.

Even so, Rosalind gathers herself, beginning to pour holy power out on this violated mountaintop - and as she does so, as the first crystalline pillar forms beneath her hand, she realises a profound truth.

This site has been a holy place for generations, instilled with the faith of nations. Compared to that, this corruption is a paltry thing - a greasy oil slick upon a vast ocean. That ancient power yearns to break through - you need only give it a chance to do so.

And there is something else that strikes her. You are here to commune with Relath, the Crusader, the god who upholds the righteous when they go forth to battle the forces of evil. His power, by its very nature, shines forth brightest in the places of greatest darkness.

It is all a lie, a featherweight deception to make you think there is no hope. Perhaps the devils believe the lie themselves; but, in the end, all evil amounts to that great lie, that conviction that redemption is impossible.

For there is nothing - not man or monster, not curses or devils, not squallor or decay, not even the weight of sin in Yara's own soul - that will stop Him from answering the honest prayer of one who truly believes.

[dantiesilva]

As the first crystalline pillar forms Rosalind feels the deep power within this place fighting against the corruption that has so recently take place. What she and no doubt the others thought at first for this place to be fully corrupted was in fact a lie as she feels the ancient power from all the years this place has been a holy site bubbling just beneath the surface waiting for the right catalyst to break free. "Everyone this place is not fully corrupted, Realth always fights the darkness so finding his power here is easy once you know where to look." she says as she moves to another one of the areas she senses is about to burst through on its own and forms a crystalline pillar there. She does this over and over again forming a circle around Yara and the others until at last she is finished.

"The power of this place will cleanse it, the only thing it needed was a little help clearing of the shadow covering it. Perseus is their anything you can do with Runes to strengthen this place?" Sister Rosalind asks before turning to Gunn. "And is there a way you can make Yara's prayers heard louder than they normally would by adding our own voices to them mentally?"

Turning next to Theo she pauses for a moment before smiling. "Will you serve as Charis once did, as the shield of the righteous so that we may complete this ritual Yara must do?"

Once she had her answer from everyone she looked to Yara. " I will try to focus my power through the pillars, it will get very bright here however you must keep praying. I cannot tell you what to pray for or even how to, it must be you as this is your quest. I can only aid you in making sure you get that chance. Whenever you are ready Yara let me know and I will begin." Sister Rosalind says before moving over to one of the pillars and getting ready to channel her powers through the crystals and hopefully harmonize with the ancient powers buried just below the surface.

[esorscher]

Perseus nods. "My knowledge of the runes is admittedly dwarfed by my colleagues, but I will do what I can." (Knowledge: [roll0])

Gunn smirks at Perseus's unintentional pun. "For my part, I have never attempted to link minds before, but I could try."

Within their heads, his voice echoes: Open your minds to me, and let your thoughts be linked as one. He briefly considers the unintended consequences of this, and the power he might gain over his companions, but while that might have tempted him in his younger days, he feels no compulsion to coerce them now. To what end, after all? He has all that he has ever sought.

[dantiesilva]

For the first time it what feels like ages, Sister Rosalind opens up her mind to Gunn, allowing her thoughts to flow like water as she does so. Through their connection she shares with each member her vision of the crystals and the power she can sense of this holy place harmonizing cleansing the taint from this place as the power of each of them flows into Yara through Gunn making her voice strong and clear to Realth. Theo standing guard as Charis did so long ago as the shield of righteousness so Yara's plea can be heard, and Perseus using the runes of his people to make sure no evil creature could defile this place once more as the power harnessed through the crystals repelled them.

[ilinares]

Gradually, the vision becomes reality. In another time and place, perhaps this might not have worked; but here, now, the potent power of faith is sunk deep into the stone beneath you, eagerly answering and amplifying your efforts.

For Perseus, consciously working with rune magic for the first time, it is at once alien and oddly instinctive. For centuries, his people have been guarding this plane against the hostile attentions of Outsiders; and, more specifically, he has been prepared - when and how he does not yet know, although Durhelim seems a likely culprit - to be the nemesis of fiends and their ilk. There is a power within him that resonates with the purpose of this place: with Order standing resolute in the face of Chaos, with the bulwark and the sentry.

Linked to the others through the mental link - to the unyielding resolve of Theo, the timeless serenity of Rosalind, and the lightning swift intelligence of Gunn - he shares that unspoken sense of this place, and the four of you quietly align your wills with the Will that is focused here - obscured, perhaps, but ever watchful, ever waiting.

And as Gunn reaches out to the fifth member of this group, extending the channel to her, he gets a glimpse of what she is becoming: of the nascent power and presence and purpose within her.

Yara, for her part, feels as though a veil has parted. There is a sense of a consciousness impinging on her own - one of fire and fury and righteousness, yes, but also of purification, of the god who reaches into the dark places of this world to lift up the lost.

Part of her yearns toward that outstretched hand. Part of her wants to flee as far and as fast as she can.

But there is an invitation - and a sense that all the multiverse holds its breath.

Waiting for Yara.

[ilinares]

Yara opens her mouth to speak - and there is a sound like the rushing of a mighty river fills your ears, drowning out all other noise.

She starts to move - and a light brighter than the midday sun fills the mountaintop, preventing you from seeing what comes next.

When it fades, leaving you still blinking afterimages from your eyes, Yara is gone.

There is little time to contemplate this development, however. For the second time in a scant handful of seconds, the light around you changes, shifting to a sullen red. Your eyes are drawn to the north east, the direction of New Ganthar, where black, roiling cloud illuminated by crimson lightning dominates the horizon. To be seen from this distance, it must be truly vast; and it seems to be expanding.

There is a hum of electricity from Theo's side, and his enchanted hammer - a gift from the Kharheim delegation what seems like years ago, though in truth it was only weeks - flies free of its bindings to hover in the air before you.

The cold iron runes on the hammer are ablaze with blue and silver light. It begins to rotate, faster and faster; it seems as though you see two hammers, then three, then an endless succession all occupying the same space. It is enough to give a headache even to those well accustomed to dealing with supernatural forces.

Then the hanmer shatters - and in its place, blue and silver mist slewing away from him like water from an emerging swimmer, stands a grey-bearded dwarf in heavy furs and a cowled cape, runes tattooed onto his forehead and etched into his gleaming staff.

"- flee this place; for this is where the hammer falls! In twelve days, the world ends!"

He stumbles a step, using the staff to catch his balance. Frowning, he turns his gaze to the unnatural storm, then slowly regards each of you in turn. His eyebrows shoot up at the sight of Perseus; then, on seeing Theo, he closes his eyes and sighs.

"Time. Always, it is the resource that matters most - and that is most readily wasted."

Gathering himself, Thuril Drakeslayer channels magic, the runes of his staff blazing into light.

"I hope you are ready to fight, warriors. The end is here."

Thuril Drakeslayer was last seen in this post (https://forums.giantitp.com/showsinglepost.php?p=21122469&postcount=624).

[Timble]

(Not sure where the last post leaves Yara. She apparently disappears before she can speak. I'm going with that she doesn't notice so my original idea can still work)

While the others prepare, Yara mulls over what she could say. Should she try to impress him with her actions against Maltur? Or her mercy when her people invaded New Ganthar? What would make him accept her redemption. But one thought stuck around no matter which way her thoughts went. What made him worthy of giving it?
During this time, she rearranged the body of the dead woman into a peaceful position and closed the corpse's eyes.

When she felt the time was right, she knelt in the center of the ruin with the Chalice before her. She closed her eyes and began to speak.
(Presumably the thing happens now)
"Relath. I have come to ask you to save my life and I have come to fix your mistakes. This site is where you, among many, pledged to protect Old Ganthar, protection you withdrew when the nobility failed to live up to their end. Because of this, an entire country was destroyed, its people either fled, dead or taken by the ilithids and their slave army. New Ganthar, with temples dedicated to your name, is rife with poverty and corruption that has led otherwise normal people to demon worship. And Charis herself is gone, forced to give up the parts of her that were good in order to protect the world and becoming a goddess responsible for many tragedies. I intend to change this.
It was not long ago that I was a selfish person only looking for my own advancement. But what I have experienced has changed me. I believe that the world needs an active force for good, one who will strive to change things so that the offers of devils and demons can find no purchase. I intend that force to be me.
From what I have learnt from Valacles, you were not always as you are now. I believe you were mortal once. Which means you must have been like I am now. I do not know why you sought godhood, or if you got what you wanted. I do not know if becoming a god will enable me to change the world or instead radically alter me to the point where my intentions no longer matter. But it is a risk I must take.
With the Chalice in front of me, I intend to face what remains of the true Charis and purify her. It is perhaps the one bit of good I am sure I can accomplish. I cannot promise you that Charis will ever be fully restored or that my ascendance will not remove the best hope for this. But I do not believe that good can be accomplished by going back to the way things were. Not even gods are immune from time. Now that you have heard my intentions, will you help me build a better future?"

[ilinares]

Absorbed by your prayer, you hardly notice as the mortal world slips away. But gradually you realise that the air has grown plentiful and sweet; that the ever-present cold has been driven from your limbs.

There is more to it than that. In a life of near-constant battle, you have earned your share of scars, of injuries that healed well enough but still ache from time to time. The minor discomforts of life. Yet now they are gone.

Perhaps that should worry you. Instead, you are filled with a sense of deep peace; a rightness about where and who you are.

And there is a sound, faint but captivating, a music filled with wonder and beauty. You find yourself wishing you could hear the details - and sure that, if you did, you could never bring yourself to leave.

There is something here that defies explanation, that goes beyond words. It is like holding your child for the first time; like speaking your wedding vows; like, and yet unlike, so much more than any mortal mind can encompass.

Love. Pure and boundless.

And you open your eyes.

The figure before you, brighter than the midday sun and blazing with holy fire, crowned with living stars, could only be Relath.

The common conception of Him is of a bullish knight-errant, charging headlong into battle whenever evil presents itself. But seeing Him, you recognise the injustice of that image; that it is a parody that mocks what it cannot understand. Yes, there is Purpose here, a Purpose which opposes evil with a passion and a fury which no mortal can rival. But it is not a blind obsession - and it is only a part of who He is.

Looking upon you, His eyes show another side of Him: the side that rejoices in redemption.

"Well met, Sister," He greets you, a sound like the explosion of a sun - yet somehow within your capacity to endure. "It gladdens My heart to see you here, setting your feet upon this path.

"Truly, we are in a season where the powers of darkness have been at their strongest. The light of Charis has been veiled from sight. Even now, the battle for your world is about to begin. But all We have done has been in readiness for this. Seasons change, Yara. Whether now we face a new spring or a bleak winter is largely dependent upon you.

"You stand upon the brink of transfiguration, Sister. In time, your gifts will grow so that you need hardly ask to know; but for now, I offer you answers. Before you leave your mortality behind, before we discover what manner of goddess you will become, have you questions for me?"

[esorscher]

Gunn takes his usual backseat to these discussions, the vagaries of the divine being beyond his meager mortal comprehension. But, for perhaps the first time in the time he has known this group, Perseus is prepared to speak. And, as always, he is succinct.

"I have prepared my entire life for this moment. For reasons I can never hope to comprehend, our ancestors saw fit to bring me to this place, at this time. War, conflict, combat--these are things I understand. Point me at the enemy. I am ready."

[gallagher]

The stunning scene that brought back the dwarf to his company left Theo briefly speechless; this magic was of a power he had not before seen, but Theo accepted it, once Thuril mentioned fighting.

Friend, you have been missed. There is no time to catch you up on everything that has happened these past several days, but suffice to say that everyone gathered here is present to oppose Maltur's threat to the Way Between Worlds, and through that save our mortal world from his hellish grip. But it is not the end - oh no, we have been winning this war every day since we have alst parted Theo said confidently. The question is not of us; are you ready, Brother Drakeslayer?

[dantiesilva]

As the scene unfolds before her Sister Rolaids cannot help but notice that there were so many strange and mysterious things in this world that were unknown to most, at least this one time the universe seemed to be on their side. Waiting for the others to finish greeting Thuril Drakeslayer Sister Rosalind steps forward as the others finish talking and does a small bow of respect to the dwarf. "Greetings once again Thuril Drakeslayer, it has been an interesting few days since last we meet. A lot has happened since then, both here as well as in Kharheim. However I believe it best if we all were to speak somewhere a bit more private once we are finished here." she says, looking to the others to see if they were in agreement.

[ilinares]

Thuril gives Perseus a swift smile.

"Spoken like a true son of Kharheim," he says with approval.

At Theo's words he grunts briefly but expressively.
"From my point of view, I've lost many days I had hoped to use in preparation - and my allies, who should have emerged from the nexus at the same moment I did, are nowhere to be seen. But my duty remains clear.

"I don't recognise this place, but it is plainly not in New Ganthar - and all the signs are that matters are coming to a head there. We must make haste for that long contested island, before it is sealed against teleportation.

"I know not on what errand you came hither, but I urge you now to abandon it. When I spoke of the world's ending, I meant it literally."

[gallagher]

We are in Old Ganthar, and our ally is in Bastion right now, purifying an artifact needed to oppose Maltur. But what do you mean, 'before it is sealed from teleportation?' Who seeks to block our return to New Ganthar? Theo asks, for the dwarf knew much that he was not revealing.

[dantiesilva]

"I should have enough power left within me to be able to fly myself and Yara back to New Ganther, or at least close enough where her own powers will be able to take over. If you all need to go and prepare I will stay behind for Yara. After all in a war against the living I am of little help." Sister Rosalind offers to the others, giving them a way out that would allow them to prepare for the worst while someone stayed behind to wait for Yara and let her know what was going on still.

[esorscher]

Gunn signals telepathically to Manny that they will need transport soon, indicating the psion should join them where they are.

"We could use your healing, Rosalind. Regardless of Yara's success, our people need our help. If we can't prevent the end of the world, at least we can delay it long enough for her to find her way back."

[dantiesilva]

"It took all of us to get this far, and we do not know how she will return. Only that she carries an artifact we need to succeed, leaving her alone when our enemies have already shown they have no worries about attacking said place is dangerous."

[gallagher]

Rosalind is right. Theo admits, however reluctantly. That she should stay, that is. If Yara is successful, she'll be more powerful than all of us combined. If Yara cannot teleport directly there, she must teleport and then fly the rest of the way. Either way, if time is of the essence, we need to arrange a rendezvous point. We can trust Rosalind to protect herself until Yara returns, relay the message, and help deliver her reliably.

The rest of us will go and prepare for war. That is our place. Rosalind, when Yara returns, get to the Temple of Relath as swiftly as possible. They will want their artifact, and will have a direct communication link to the Arbiter. He will either be next to me, or near enough that Gunn will be able to relay our position. No delays, no side tracks. Every moment we are separated, we are not at full strength. And as was made apparent, we all are needed to defeat Maltur and redeem Charis.

[Timble]

Yara starts to open her mouth for a question, only to be overwhelmed by her options. She could spend days here, carefully going over all possibilities. She spends a minute trying to develop a concise list of the best questions before giving up.

"Too many to ask. Rather then waste time, what do you think I should know about what is happening and what will occur?"

[ilinares]

We are in Old Ganthar, and our ally is in Bastion right now, purifying an artifact needed to oppose Maltur. But what do you mean, 'before it is sealed from teleportation?' Who seeks to block our return to New Ganthar? Theo asks, for the dwarf knew much that he was not revealing.

Thuril sighs, his body language straining for action; but he forces himself to stop, to address the legitimacy of your questions. As he speaks, he kneels and begins collecting the shards of Theo's broken hammer.

"Very well," he says in low tones. "I will explain - but please forgive me if I sacrifice clarity for brevity.

"My kind - the Rune Wardens - have for generations defended this world from external invasion. But now we are betrayed from within. The Great Runes are failing. What you see in the sky yonder is proof that they can no longer shield this realm.

"I know not who sabotaged them. I have long suspected Sigrid, who cast aside her oaths and left our order; but, if so, I know not when or how she did it.

"What I know is this: that the way is being prepared for Maltur to come into this world. Your kingdom of New Ganthar has long been a nexus for conflict, and so a point at which the influence of the God of War can be most effective. Steps have been taken - wars incited, organisations destabilised, voices for peace silenced - with the goal of strengthening that resonance.

"And I have learned the final step that will make possible Maltur's arrival. Deep beneath your land, a demigod of war and darkness has slept for an age. Now, it awakens - and its wakening will call out to Maltur, like to like, and open the Way for Him to come hither. Already his demons will be besieging your land.

"What is worst in this is that the other gods seem unable or unwilling to act. Whatever Maltur's reason to strike here, now, it seems enough of the gods agree with Him to render divine intervention unlikely. At least directly.

"So, why do I believe New Ganthar will be shielded from our influence? Maltur is a god. None can enter His presence if He wishes to prevent it."



Rosalind is right. Theo admits, however reluctantly. That she should stay, that is. If Yara is successful, she'll be more powerful than all of us combined. If Yara cannot teleport directly there, she must teleport and then fly the rest of the way. Either way, if time is of the essence, we need to arrange a rendezvous point. We can trust Rosalind to protect herself until Yara returns, relay the message, and help deliver her reliably.

The rest of us will go and prepare for war. That is our place. Rosalind, when Yara returns, get to the Temple of Relath as swiftly as possible. They will want their artifact, and will have a direct communication link to the Arbiter. He will either be next to me, or near enough that Gunn will be able to relay our position. No delays, no side tracks. Every moment we are separated, we are not at full strength. And as was made apparent, we all are needed to defeat Maltur and redeem Charis.

"There is the spirit!" Thuril cries. "To battle, my friends! Though the foe is beyond our reckoning, we will fight, and bleed, and die if we must before we yield!"

So saying, he thrusts his arms out to either side, and power flows out from him, seizing each of you and seeking to wrench you from that place. You sense that you could resist if you chose - that only those who are willing will be transported - but in the face of such urgency, who would refuse?

In moments, those who heeded the call find themselves in New Ganthar - in the very hall where Thuril vanished and a war between Kharheim and New Ganthar so nearly began. The crimson light is more pronounced here, streaming in through the windows; you are alone, but sounds of screaming and conflict can be heard outside.

The dwarf begins laying the fragments of Theo's hammer on the ground, shaping them into a circle. As he works, you have a moment to ask questions or to act as you think fit.


Relath smiles boyishly at that. "They say admitting your ignorance is the beginning of wisdom. If that is so, admitting you do not even know what questions to ask is wisdom indeed. But there, I'm afraid, we speak of things outside My sphere of influence.

"Yara, you have been given power - the seed of divinity that blossoms even now within you. Those who gave you this power meant it for evil, and their methods were foul and harmful. They twisted you, wrought your very soul into something hateful.

"But know that, though there are evils in this world, there is also good - and what the enemy means for evil can be turned to the cause of righteousness in the end. And though they did everything they could to corrupt you, they have failed. For in the end, you have chosen to do what is right. And that choice is going to make all the difference.

"Even now, Maltur begins His invasion of your world. I cannot enter the mortal world to oppose Him, and there are battles raging on other fronts that I cannot neglect. But you, the newest of our fellowship, can still freely act in the material plane.

"In a moment, I will set you on your path. But take these messages with you when you walk it.

"To prevail, these three things must come to pass: Charis must be restored to the Heavens; Maltur must be slain; and the Runelord must seal the breach.

Rosalind will question her part in this - for she set out to face the Betrayer, not the Warrior. But tell her that she will get her chance, if all this transpires as I have said. More than one evil may be ended this day. By closing the Way that should never have opened, you may yet open the Way that should never have been closed.

"Now, our time is almost up. I feel duty calling to me, and cannot postpone my answer. But first, I can help you to walk the road you have chosen."

He gestures, and before you appears a column of impossibly bright light. All the wonder and peace you sensed before is emanating from that light; indeed, in a flash of insight, you sense that all that is good and pure and holy in this world comes from this source.

Relath sinks to his knees in its presence, his voice taking on a tone of reverence.

"Your friend Rosalind would tell you that everything was created by the Old Gods - the forces of Life and Death which she serves, and the elemental powers that wrought the fabric of reality. But there are mysteries even she does not comprehend - and before which even the gods can only bow.

"This is a manifestation of the power I serve; older, stronger, greater than even the Lovers. This is the wellspring from which the Heavens arose, the fountain from which every angel is born. This is the Light before and beyond all other lights. And if you mean what you have said, if you truly wish to be a force for good, you need only step into the Light and you will be transformed. The person you have been will perish. The person you wish to be shall be born."

[dantiesilva]

Sister Rosalind seems deep in thought as if she is listening to someone who wasn't there as however when Sigrid's name comes up she seems to snap out of it. "Sigrind has done what she has to make sure the great runes are not misused to imprison a god again as well as to make sure the one within is not slain. She has said as much to all of us here, whatever she has done I suspect it was to lessen the effects as much as possible. Perhaps when we return you can question her yourself." Sister Rosalind explains to Thuril letting him know that she wasn't certain that Sigrid was the one behind all of this, but was more one of the reasons it took so long for it to happen.

"As for the god of war and darkness you speak of, it is not darkness by choice, but a darkness thrown upon it trying to force it to play to anothers tune. If the corruption can be removed the god would not call to Malture but once more to the Heavens I suspect. Would this stop his ability to cross over?" she asks unsure how much to say as this did not only concern her, but Theo's faith as well. "As for divine intervention, they set a plan in motion centuries ago for this doing all that they are able to do in the mortal realm without destroying it. We must have faith in those they choose to do what they knew must be done."

When the runewarden holds out his hand Sister Rosalind takes it before looking to the others. "I don't want to say the Lover's spoke to me, but its more of a divine feeling that they want me to go with you and that Yara will be fine." Sister Rosalind says, before being transported with the others to the chamber they were so long ago meeting the prince.

"Mr. Gunn can you sense the prince or his allies? What is going on?" she asks heading to the nearest doorway and looking outside to see what was happening.

How well does Rosalind know the layout of the area she is in of the castle? She would move in the direction she feels would lead her to the prince to make sure he is safe unless Gunn can sense him elsewhere and lead her there.

[esorscher]

Gunn reaches out telepathically to sense any intelligent beings in their immediate surroundings. Turning to Thuril, he says: "What is our objective? Wage war against the demons and devils that assail us? Or is there a more pertinent goal we can achieve that will make their efforts futile?"

[ilinares]

Gunn reaches out his senses, and finds the building abandoned - but in the streets outside, humanoid intelligences are being pursued individually or in small groups by packs of demons. It is a scene repeating itself a dozen times just within the range of his mindsight; and there is no reason to think it will be worse here than anywhere else in the city.

Thuril continues meticulously arranging the shards of metal. "Disrupting the resonance between our reality and Maltur's should be a priority," he replies. "If you have the means to either destroy the godling or sufficiently change it, that is an essential step.

"Failing that, we need to learn more about the disposition of the enemy. Maltur may simply intend to use this island as a beachhead to overrun the world, or he may have some more specific objective. Learning which it is would dictate how we respond.

"I know you will be tempted to take to the streets, or to seek out your strongholds or your loved ones.but the longer this continues, the more demons will enter the world - until it won't matter how well defended anyone is.

"This is your home; I am merely a visitor. What is the best way to find the answers we need? "

Rosalind can find the Palace from here and would expect to find the Prince there, if that is her goal.

[dantiesilva]

"My Lady sent a messenger saying to not get distracted by the Malture, that he was merely the distraction. If I had to guess Malture's role here and now is to kill as many as he can, this will fuel the Betrayer's army as well as their hidden Ally I have long suspected to be the Lord of Lies however have no solid proof." Sister Rosalind says as she hears what is going on in the streets and lets her consciousness focus on the part of her that was tied to the cage holding Melchizar. Melchizar I do not know if you can hear me however if you can demons are overrunning the mortal realm and killing wantly making the way ready for their master Malture to cross over. Do you remember our deal? To protect the innocent, and stop all evil that tries to harm them, to refuse to aid those who seek to simply make servants of the rest of the world. To seek down and destroy the evil vile gods that will stop at nothing to destroy the balance you were created to maintain? Swear to me you will not betray your vow here and now, promise to protect the people of this island and I swear to you here and now I will release you from your prison. Your task will be simple for now and something to hopefully give your body a stretch, protect all the mortals you can and slay all the demons who come against you or try to harm them. Do no harm to a mortal unless it is in self defense and use the bare amount of force required. If Malture or the Betrayer take to the field you have full authority to engage I just ask that you inform me first so we can lend you aid in whatever way we can. Do you accept?" Rosalind sends telepathically to Melchizar unsure if the message would be received or not.

As it is telepathic even though its through her connection to the cell I believe Gunn would probably be able to hear it, one of those instances her telepathy immunity simply doesn't work as the power of the cage would need to suppress it for her to get a reply.

"Theo can you call forth your templars to take to the streets and clear a path for Melchizar that no one will notice him leaving your office? If we cannot help these people in the streets I will not let an ancient warrior of my people who has defended thousands for millennia untold sit on the sidelines. Before he was sealed away and guarded the bridge none could pass him so keen were his skills. With him in the field as well as our allies and their respective armies I suspect we will have a chance, however we need other items to complete the ritual, does anyone know the others that Yara herself didn't have?" Sister Rosalind asks seeing as collecting them from their friends and mustering a defense to hold the tide while they went to stop the hole was possibly the best bet at winning.

[ilinares]

Melchizar's voice resounds in the air around you, seeming to emanate from Rosalind's arm, where the spell construct to unseal the prison is bound.

"You have my word, Rosalind of the Lovers. My service in the present conflict, within the limits you have described. And... thank you."

That last he says haltingly, with wonder in his tone at this long awaited end to his confinement.

Thuril completes his preparations and casts a spell - and with a rush of sound and energy, the dwarf cleric Bhatren Kudrenson and half a dozen warriors of Kharheim appear in the circle he has constructed.

The cleric clasps Thuril's forearm, giving a want smile. He speaks in dwarven, true to his vow not to sully his lips with the common tongue:

"By the ancestors, it worked! Let's never do it again. I think I left my breakfast behind."

Looking around himself, he nods grimly.

"The battle is upon us, my friend. And we stand alone. So be it. We will do our duty to this realm, even if it cost our lives."

"Not quite alone," Thuril answers in Common. "The humans will fight - and their greatest heroes are here with us."

Bhatren gives a genuine smile at that, and draws his hammer. Touching it to his lips, he raises it high in salute; behind him, the other dwarves do likewise, excepting only Thuril.

"On behalf of Kharheim, we pledge ourselves to the defence of this land. By the Honoured Ancestors, by my hearth and Clan, by my very life, this is my thrice-sworn oath: to fight for you until the battle is won or this flesh fails."

As Bhatren finishes speaking, the warriors behind him respond in Common, speaking with the unity and reverence of those voicing a sacred ritual:

"Until the battle is won."

[Timble]

Yara tightens her grip on the Chalice as she stares into the light. Well, goodbye me, she thinks, before stepping into her new life.

[ilinares]

You step into the coruscating pillar of energy - similar in some ways to that created when your body was destroyed and Dalvar's energy unleashed, but infinitely more intense and of a different quality. Dalvar's power was raw energy, unbound by any guiding will; it was power without direction, with no moral dimension to it.

This Light Relath reveres…

The moment of contact makes thought impossible. Your mind reels and flies apart, overwhelmed by a consciousness so ancient and immense you have no frame of reference for it. Your soul quails within you, every foul thought and word and deed abruptly laid bare - and revealed as utterly, intolerably repugnant. You instinctively throw up psychic defences, pitting a mind more potent than perhaps any mortal in living memory against this onslaught.

Here, now, your defences are meaningless. What is happening to you is what happens when a drop of rain joins the ocean. It is an experience beyond endurance - and you do not endure.

Yara - the amalgam of memory and desire that is the product of a life ill lived - is destroyed.

The Light is everything.

Time passes.

And then, your soul stirs. You become aware once more of yourself as something distinct from the Light in which you are immersed. Thought is still beyond you; but there is something both agonising and poignant in that awareness. You were part of something perfect, something eternal and pure; now you are separate, lesser.

"You?" Can that word truly apply? There is a sense of self, as distinct from the Light around you; but that selfhood is not accompanied by anything that could truthfully be called an identity.

Something new has been born.

Although you are no longer one with the Light, you are still immersed, still linked; and through that link, you receive impressions of other souls, first dozens, then thousands, then millions, until it is a number beyond counting, arrayed throughout space and time.

Beyond your counting, at least. But you sense they are all fully known to the Light - and you sense a fraction of the fathomless love that the Light feels for each and every one of them.

This is the first lesson you learn. Everyone is precious. Everyone is loved.

You hang there, beyond space and time, overwhelmed by the love at the heart of reality that encompasses all who live, have lived or will live; and gradually the incredible truth dawns on you.

You are loved.

Gradually, you become drawn to one soul within the myriad, one individual in a near-infinite cosmos. You find yourself living this woman's life, from the instant of birth, through the struggles and triumphs of childhood and adolescence. Her choices are as often the cause of pain as happiness, and you wonder with a great sense of sadness how it is possible to be so ignorant of the value of others.

Yet, watching those others, you come to recognise she is not unique in this - far from it.

She is simply human.

As you walk the path of her life with her, you feel frustration as she becomes caught up in a false religion, as her nature is distorted by those around her. You witness the wrongs done to her with deep pity both for her and for those who are harming themselves through the evil they perpetrate against her.

Then you encounter something your experience thus far has not prepared you for: a being of hatred and darkness, a creature not of the Light.

And you cry out in shock and outrage as the dark being is forcibly joined to the woman.

When you can bear to look again, you find this abomination going through life as though it were one creature - but the change is clear, the darkness of the Other tainting and skewing the actions of the woman. More and more, her actions tend to cause suffering and loss for others, to be focused on what benefits the Other even as the woman's soul shrivels from isolation. You weep openly now; you grieve for the woman she should have had chance to become.

You watch her come to a small island beset by many evils, and even face more like the Other bound to her. All the time, it seems from the outside that she is getting stronger; but you can see it is the Other who is feeding, growing, learning.

Then a good man gives his life to set her free.

No longer bound to the Other, you see her as one who steps after an age in darkness into the dawn: blinking, faltering, beginning to realise that other souls exist and have value. You watch with pride and a thrill of hope as she puts herself time and again to the hazard for the sake of others.

Her trials come thick and fast now, a blizzard of experiences that she struggles through. She even confronts the Other - and prevails, through the love and support of others, part of a greater whole as all are meant to be.

At the last, she resolves within herself to be more than those who shaped her path intended. She glimpses, as though in a mirror dimly, the Light beyond all lights; and though she does not know it, she yearns towards it, pledging herself to its service.

Then she is taken up into the Light - and is destroyed.

No.

Not destroyed.

Reborn.

At that moment, you recognise the woman as yourself - and yourself as her, as Yara. All the memories and experiences return to you - but you have seen yourself from the standpoint of eternity, and the bitterness of the past has no hold on you any more.

You know who you are - and you know, at last, that you are who you are meant to be.

You choose to return to the flesh, although distinctions of flesh and spirit mean nothing to you any more. You are no longer wholly part of the Light above the gods - but you are not limited to mortality either.

You sense you are needed in the material plane, in the isle of New Ganthar where so many of your most defining moments occured. The planes await, and your consciousness expands by the moment towards the new state of being that awaits you - but you have unfinished business to attend to first.

You reach out a hand and produce the Chalice from nothing, purified and rarified by accompanying you on your transfiguration. You consider your nakedness briefly, clothing yourself as you think fit.

You can go anywhere you wish, now. And you know where to go when you are ready. But the choice is yours.

Yara's moral alignment changes to Good. Her ethical alignment is unchanged.

She becomes a Rank 1 demigod and may choose the abilities that go with that - see the rules on deities at http://dndsrd.net/divine.html

[dantiesilva]

Looking up to the sky Sister Rosalind calls out to the Lovers as well as the Fatekeeper "I beseech thee allow Melchizar who has been imprisoned for doing his first duty to you to be released from his prison. He may not have found redemption in the way the Sentinel wished however he has thought over his actions and seen that their were other options. Options he plans to take now to defend the people and stop those that wish to bring chaos and destruction to this world until the balance itself is destroyed." As Rosalind finishes she places her hand on the marking and says the words. "Melchizar I release you from your prison to do what you have promised to do. I will hold you to your vow and make sure you uphold your end of the bargain."

As the dwarves come forth and begin speaking in the dwarven tongue Sister Rosalind waits for them to finish before replying in dwarven. " We may be fewer in number then you wished Bhatren Kudrenson, mistakes were made on both sides, however we have allies that the enemy did not count on as well. We have taken out many of their champions already before the war has begun dealing a blow to their forces, and sent many demons back to their plane in the process. I have an ally in the field at this moment hunting down those who are breaking through the runes your ancestors created centuries ago and all of New Ganther will rally to defend themselves from invasion as they have before. There will be loses, but we will see the light of day once more." she says kindly and encouragingly to the dwarven cleric as she looks around at those gathered here.

They needed a clear line of communication to get all forces to work in union if they were to stand a chance of pushing back this force, Melchizar was a capable warrior, however a single warrior against the ocean would eventually break. And without some form of information being delivered to the troops as well as medical aid the chances of success were slim. "We all need to gather our allies and forces and get them to work together. Mr. Gunn you are the expert on communication and information, is their a way your people could provide similar assistance if we are able to mount some kind of resistance? If I had to guess the churches of Charis, Realth, and Maya are already on the field doing what it is they can while the temple of Berun is trying to keep as many people safe as they can. Sadly their creed to never heal a warrior or harm a soul like my own is their greatest weakness at this moment and if the enemy capitalizes on this our forces will have nowhere to turn to be healed. If I can get in touch with Pran I have an idea, however it will require a lot of volunteers and many will not like it however the best way to fight these monsters is to use the dead blessed by the Mother. Pran has a strong affinity to the Mother, and if he is at the temple of Bones I suspect he will be able to raise an army of warriors to protect the people of New Ganther. These will not be mindless undead however, but the mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters whos will is strong enough to hold onto their life and protect the living. I like to think of them as deathless, however even that word is not correct." Sister Rosalind explains to all assembled. If they were to go and deal with the undead daughter they needed to collect the artifacts to cleanse her and to do that they needed time and an army to hold back the demons.

[esorscher]

"Let's not forget the soldiers of New Ganthar," Gunn begins. "Soldiers who no doubt are better equipped to ferry communication on the battlefield than the volunteers who run my organization. My people will be making sure the streets are clear of innocents, but I'll see who can be spared for combat duties. We need to get to the palace, and coordinate with the Prince--and we need to perform the ritual and resolve this matter at its source."

[dantiesilva]

Sister Rosalind nods, Soldiers were not better at staying hidden then those that worked for Gunn so their information may never arrive however she would accept his views as she was not one who had learned the ways of war and her ways of thinking followed a much simpler logic.

[gallagher]

Agreed. Theo nods. He then salutes the new dwarves to the scene, recognizing them from weeks ago - though it felt like a lifetime since he had last fought with them. Welcome, brothers. We have fought together before, and we are here to do it again. I pray that it will not be our last battle, but that is not the way of war. Our destiny is decided in this fight, and we will face it sword and hammer and axe in hand.

He then turns to Gunn, Perseus and Rosalind. When we get back to New Ganthar, I must return to the Temple of Charis to give my orders to Lord Commander Niall so that my forces are fully mobilized. Our new company can ready themselves as best they can at my temple as well. With Melchizar on patrol, Hadurel will have been released from my Planar Ally spell; I have another prepared, and this will be my best opportunity to cast it again. I will then take Ardaionn to the Palace with the instructions for the ritual, and we shall move from there. To complete the ritual, we must return to the Mount of Skulls, so any time you have before we regroup should be spent preparing for that.

That deathless army sounds dope as hell. Dope as the seven hells. Possibly even an eighth hell.

[ilinares]

Thuril takes his staff in hand, turning to the door.
"I sense no demons of sufficient strength to hinder us between here and the Palace. I have teleport spells prepared, but it may be better to preserve them for when they are most needed."

Bhatren nods. Wordlessly he gestures for the four of you to take the lead, as his soldiers take positions on your flanks.

Before you leave, Thuril lays a hand on Perseus's shoulder and speaks softly to him. "Now is not the time, but we must speak soon, son of Ironshield. You carry a power within you that should never have been given away - but perhaps it will prove invaluable before this day is done."

[dantiesilva]

"I agree we should save whatever powers we still have available to us until we need them." Sister Rosalind replies. Once outside she calls forth Lady Amalthea and the four bariaur defenders to escort them all to the palace and if along the way they encounter demons Lady Amalthea and the four defenders would be free to engage to protect the people.

Lady Amalthea and them can't die. She will simply be sent back to the forest of the Fey Witch for the remainder of the day, and the four bariaur defenders will simply return to their home plane and as they can serve me for up to a year this is the best time to use them. I figure the more of us on the playing field the smaller the losses will be. And at CR 9s for the defenders with Rhino's rush prepared on a charge attack they can kil some low level demons easily I believe with L.A providing support as she herself has over 100hp.

[esorscher]

Perseus nods, his curiosity piqued. Taking position at the front of the group, he leads the unit toward the Palace, with Gunn moving to the center of the assembly surrounded by soldiers on all sides.

[gallagher]

I will call Ardaionn when they reach outside. The book in his office was necessary, and the great bird was necessary to take a direct path.

Upon reaching his temple, Theo has a page bring two scrolls of Sending, and sends another to alert the Lord Commander of his arrival. Without waiting, Theo goes directly to his office, knowing Niall would seek him there.

[ilinares]

Bursting out through the doorway, you feel as though you have stepped into a nightmare. Eerie crimson light covers everything; an unnatural cacophony of shrieking, baying and other noises with no worldly analogue fills the air, set to a counterpoint of agonised screams, battle cries, and ringing steel. The air is heavy with electricity and raw magic, and the temperature has noticeably risen to the point of discomfort.

The stench is overpowering: a potent animal odour mixed with blood and sulphur, laced with decay and infection.

As your group reaches the streets, there are three civilians in sight: two fleeing a gang of dretches, and the third on the floor being savaged by a babau. The fleeing humans adjust their course, passing through the ranks of dwarves and celestials who part to admit them and close ranks to form an impenetrable wall behind them.

The dretches draw up short, shrieking horribly, before turning to slink away from your group; the summoned bariaur, however, have no intention of letting them. Gleaming arrows arc through the air, cutting down the fiends swiftly and mercilessly.

As for the babau, the sight of its savagery seems to rouse Thuril's anger. He gives a sharp gesture with one hand, and a shimmering green rune forms in the air. A heartbeat later, a barrage of half-seen force surges out towards the demon, barely more than a distortion in the air until it hurls the fiend away from its prey, crashing it into a wall and continuing remorselessly to bludgeon the demon to a pulp.

For the victim, it is too late. He is already dead.

Theo summons Ardaionn grimly, sitting astride the mighty bird and setting off for his temple. The rest of you proceed on foot to the Palace.

From the skies, you could pretend the attack isn't happening. The sounds are distant here, the rush of wind and beating of wings creating an illusion of peace; if you shut your eyes, you could almost believe it.

But it has never been your way to shut your eyes in the face of evil.

It takes less than a minute to reach the temple. Ardaionn circles once, giving you chance to survey the scene: Templars battling demons on every side, a stronghold besieged but enduring. The demons have gathered in numbers, and the gate has been broken down - presumably by the enormous bebilith whose twitching corpse lies in the street outside. A line of Templars stand in the breach, and the fighting seems to have found a rhythm, an impasse; at least for now, the foe lacks the strength or numbers to penetrate that line.

You spot Niall there, where the fighting is thickest, drenched in demonic ichor but uninjured, showcasing all his skill and courage in the fray. Although he has been a bitter rival for much of the time you have known him, and despite the streak of cruelty and callousness that makes it impossible to like him, you cannot help but be glad of his presence among the defenders. He leads them well; as you watch, he rushes to buy time for an injured Templar to withdraw, driving the demons back in disarray while your clerics rearrange themselves to bring fresh fighters to the fore.

Seeing you, the Lord Commander raises a hand in greeting and tersely gives the command to a Knight Lieutenant. Accepting a drink of water from a frightened young acolyte, he follows your lead to a quiet space to meet.

Saluting, Niall greets you with a gravelly "Father."[b] Jerking his head in the direction of the fighting, he reports tersely: [b]"The attack started ten minutes ago. So far nothing we can't handle, but we should be prepared for worse. What are your orders?"

As Thuril predicted, although you encounter many more demons on the journey to the Palace, they amount to trivial threats for you and your companions. Tragically, the same cannot be said for the civilian population: but you do what you can, rescuing those you find alive and avenging those you are too late to save.

You find the Palace in flames. Its entrance has been demolished, and several charred and mangled corpses lie in the street. A number of demonic bodies can also be seen - although given how often you have watched demon corpses collapse, decay, or otherwise self-destruct you guess the true death toll among the invaders to be far higher.

Bhatren and Thuril pause to cast a spell each, wards that extend to all of you.

Mass Resist Energy (Fire) and Mass Conviction

The Runewarden speaks quietly. "There are powerful demons within. Many demons. The good news is, if they remain focused here, they have not completed their task - or they would have dispersed. Your ruler likely lives."

[dantiesilva]

Sister Rosalind watches in horror at the devestation being unleashed in New Ganther, at least here the people had some form of protection from the town guard and churches however the poor district was no doubt suffering the worst. Reaching out through the magical thread that connected them she tried to speak to Melchizar. " Melchizar I do not know if you can hear me, I hope you are okay. Is there any chance you can make it to the poorer district of this city? The people there will have the least amount of defense and will need all the help they can get. I am going to see if me and Pran can find a way to get an army of the Mother's soldiers at your back, but I can't promise anything as I have never tried something like this before. It will take time though." she explains to the vampire, hoping he can hear her, and listening if he had any suggestions.

As Theo departs Sister Rosalind bids him good luck before following the others towards the palace. Once the chain of command was safe they could begin to launch a counter attack, not before however. To many pieces were not yet in place for them to go on the offensive. And so the best she could do was allow those with her to do what it is they did best as she cast a simple spell to protect them all.

16 creatures total,
1. L.A
2 Perseus
3 Gunn
4 Dwarves
5 Summons
6 Anyone we happen to pick up along the way/she happens to see next to us trying to flee that could still use the protection.

+4 Deflection bonus to AC for 16 minutes

"There was also a church of Malture below the temple, this could be where their main portal is." Sister Rosalind adds so the dwarves knew that this could be a potential hot spot for demonic activity. "I am no longer at my strongest however I will see what I will try to keep us all alive for as long as I can." she tells everyone, having spent many of her spells earlier in the day fighting devils she was close to being spent on most of her spells that would prove most useful in a fight, now all she had left were defenses.

[ilinares]

It seems the spell construct that allowed Rosalind to free Melchizar still connects her to him, allowing for long range communications.

Melchizar responds with a frustrated snort.
"The strongest demons will be deployed at strategic targets," he retorts. "Sending me where the weakest demons are is a waste of resources. I am pledged to your service, and will obey; but the loss of life and souls will be far greater if this city falls than if a few mangy packs of dretches go unchecked."

[dantiesilva]

Sister Rosalind listens to what Melchizar has to say, to her knowledge demons didn't follow any kind of strategy they just tried to cause as much mayhem as possible, than again Melchizar had been dealing with creatures like this most of his very long life before being locked in his prison. Her wish to protect everyone fought with her logic greatly in this moment, and no doubt the vampire could sense it with how long she was taking to reply. However at last her voice came through their connection. " You were once a proud and respected warrior of the Mother, I trust you to do what you believe is best, even if it means not going to the poor district. I will not order you to do something you are certain of in a field your knowledge vastly outnumbers my own. Just if you see guards or someone who can help that to your knowledge could take on these dretches please send them that way." she asks kindly, reassuring him that she would not order him to do something unless she herself was certain her way was right and his was wrong, and giving her trust to him to make said call on things of this nature. "At the moment we are about to storm the palace where the runewarden can sense some powerful demons meaning the prince is still alive. I will try to keep you updated, be safe and good hunting Melchizar." she replies through their link before looking to two of her Bariaur guardians. " Would the two of you please go to the poor district, they will be the least defended right now and from what I have been told it is only dretches there." she says to them, hoping they would be eager to go fight the enemy, splitting her own forces like this was dangerous, however she knew the moment the prince was safe she would be sending the rest of those with her that she could to go to the poor district as she herself found Pran and together they found a way to raise an army.

[gallagher]

We must be prepared not just worse, but for the worst. This is but the first wave of Maltur's forces; this is a move he has been planning. Any scroll in our armory is at your disposal. If any are of Planar Ally variety, use them. If we have any summoning at our disposal, use them. The demons rely on their numbers, we must keep that advantage to a minimum. I have a scroll of Commune, and I am going to my office to see what Charis will illuminate. I will return in ten minutes with is revealed, you must hold this line until then. Allow any civilian to pass through and take refuge within.

Ardaionn, assist the Lord Commander - maintain air superiority, and swoop to intercept any demon that threatens to breach our line. He commands his great eagle. He salutes his lord commander and his celestial companion, and retreats to his office.

Theo first checks to see if Hadurel might have remained behind - but did not keep his hopes. He then checked to see what remained of Melchizar's prison, and what evidence remained of the prisoner. He then retrieved his ancestor's journal, and drew his scroll of Commune and began to cast from it.

Question 1 - From where are the demons breaching into New Ganthar?

Question 2 -For how long will Melchizar stay true to his word?

Question 3 - Has the time come to attempt the ritual?

Question 4 - Does Maltur intend to come to the Material Plane?

That is 4 of a possible 13. I am

[ilinares]

Niall looks grim, but snaps a salute. "So be it. We serve the Sentinel; we are not unprepared for such eventualities. We will hold the line."

Once dismissed, he rushes away - not in the direction of the doorway, but towards the vault that stores the most potent relics of the Temple.

Trusting your sometime rival to continue the struggle in your brief absence, you return to your office. Melchizar's cage stands empty, a prison cell pulsating with quiet, subdued power. Even as you watch, the potent sigils are fading; but you sense intuitively that the cell is not dying away, but going dormant. Of Hadurel, there is no sign.

You retrieve the valuable tome from your desk, and then unfurl the scroll you have saved for just such an emergency, breaking the wax seal with a surge of power. As you read the ritual words, focusing your thoughts into a prayer of petition, you feel the magic of the spell beginning to build, forming a bridge between you and the divine. It is a time-consuming affair, time part of you recognises is being bought for you at a cost in innocent lives; but you force yourself to focus on the task at hand, knowing that the answers to your questions could prove invaluable in the conflict ahead.

You feel it when Charis answers, Her unyielding will brushing against your own. Your instincts tell you that it is not the Sentinel who has answered; rather, your spell has pierced the veil of time, reaching back to garner answers from the Shield of the Righteous Herself. Perhaps it is more true to say that this moment was foreseen, and answers prepared for you long ago, held in readiness for this precise casting, in this very instant.

The purity and power of Charis whelms you to your fullest; every fibre of your being resonates to Her presence, as an instrument responding to the touch of a master musician. In later days, it may well be that the very fact that Charis answered you in this way is more personally significant then the actual answers She now speaks.


From where are the demons breaching into New Ganthar?

THE SKIES ABOVE


For how long will Melchizar stay true to his word?

HE CANNOT BREAK THE LETTER OF HIS WORD.


Has the time come to attempt the ritual?

I CANNOT COMMAND YOU IN THIS, MY CHAMPION. I, TOO, CANNOT BREAK MY GIVEN WORD.


Does Maltur intend to come to the Material Plane?

YES.

Having allowed time for you to make your preparations, Bhatren takes the lead heading down the burning corridor, warhammer in hand. You pass more grizzly corpses, going down familiar corridors made nightmarish by their transformation into a burning abattoir.

Once you get close enough that there are fewer walls in the way, Gunn's mindsense registers several familiar minds in the throneroom: Prince Amdel himself, with Livana, Clauth, Rithelm and - surprisingly - Arbiter Lothrain. Confronting them are several powerful fiendish intelligences; Thuril likewise draws up short, turning to you in concern.

"They have a balor," he reports, eyes distant as he focuses on senses only Gunn can relate to. "And a marilith, and three hezrous. Champions, if Bhatren and our warriors deal with the lesser demons, can you take the leader?"

Please roll initiative.

[dantiesilva]

"We will do what we must in order to protect the Prince." Sister Rosalind assures looking to Gunn and Perseus to see if they were ready as Lady Amalthea stands besides her, all ready to do what they must to protect the prince.

[roll0]

Note Aura of Peace is Will DC 33 for those demons to attack anyone who hasn't attacked them yet once we go into the room
Weapons Shatter on Fort DC 28 against Rosalind
Double Strength MCaE is in constant effect around Rosalind so everyone in the throne room should be getting a rather good bumb to AC and saves, as well as immune to mind control (+4 bonus), and any harmful spells thrown at us of 3rd level or lower Rosalind will auto cancel with her Protective Aura, turning it on and off depending on if it is an ally casting a spell or an enemy as it is a free action.

She will cast Seed of Life before they open the door on Perseus giving him Fast Healing 2 for 26 rounds. At any point during this time Perseus can activate the seed (spending the remaining time) they can heal them self half the duration rounded down in d4s. (so say 11 rounds remain, he could heal himself for 5d4 and end the spell in the process, this is a standard action)

Because Seed of life is a conjuration healing spell, Perseus heals 40 temp and 8 normal hp

[esorscher]

Perseus nods, eager for another challenge, yet remembering how close to death he came in the last fight. Gunn prepares for battle by casting Haste on the party, dwarves included.

Initiative rolled in the OOC thread (10)

[ilinares]

Bhatren gives a battle cry in dwarven - "Death before dishonour!" - and signals to one of his followers to kick in the door before rushing inside.

Some form of standoff was taking place inside, with the Prince and his small knot of defenders gathered on the dais around the throne, with the demons arrayed around them. Lothrain, sword blazing, has locked eyes with the balor; on the opposite side, Livana is crouched with a pair of short swords at the ready, both shrouded in shadowy energies as she studies the marilith. Rithelm holds himself awkwardly, using the bloodied spear in his hand to support some of his weight, while Chancellor Clauth...

Clauth, the diplomat and retired cleric of Dalvar, is ablaze with divine magic as he stands between the Prince and the demonic force.

There are bodies on all sides, mortal and fiendish, and the air is thick with smoke - smoke which recoils from an invisible barrier around the dais, but reduces visibility around the demons. The first flames are licking at the walls, the beginnings of a conflagration that will consume the defenders if they cannot soon win free of the trap.

The dwarves waste no time interposing themselves between the demons and the royal party. Bhatren calls up a barrier of whirling blades in front of Rithelm, holding the hezrou on that side back, before menacing the serpent-tailed demon with his hammer; the dwarf warriors choose more mundane means of intervening, engaging the two nearer hezrous in combat with cries of delighted battle-fervour.

Lothrain locks eyes briefly with Rosalind and smiles before turning back to the Balor.

"Looks like my reinforcements arrived first, demon. Now, in Relath's name, prepare to die!"

Rosalind next, then Gunn and Perseus.

[dantiesilva]

As Sister Rosalind looks at the situation in the throne room she tries her best not to seem worried for the princes benefit. " Its good to see you all, I see your diplomats have already started the talks." she says with an amused smile at Clauth "Didn't I tell you one is never to far from their god so long as they still believed?" she says with a grin at his new found power before bowing to the Prince. "Sorry for not announcing our selves before entering, I hope you can forgive us this once." she shares a brief nod of encouragement to the others before looking directly at the demon leading these forces for she knew not what it was.

"Here are the terms, surrender now, return to your home plane with those who came with you and you will not feel the Mother's grasp like many of your brothers and sisters outside of here who at this very moment are remembering the taste of the Mothers favorite son." she says. She already knew they would refuse, demons hardly ever listened to reason, however she had to give them that small chance, to see with her own eyes if their hearts, no matter how twisted and vile were in this fight.

She is trying to determine if the demons are here out of fear of what would happen if they didn't or if they truly wish to be here. [roll0]

As the demon refuses the only offer it was going to get Rosalinds entire demeanor seems to change as she begins speaking in celestial looking at all the bodies cut down by the demons. "Fratres vestri invocamus principem lapsis fortitudo tuenda modo. Non impune ferat phialam bestiis et scelera eorum nanos materno requiem ire."

Brothers and Sisters who have fallen defending your prince I call on your strength and bravery now. Let us not allow these vial beasts crimes to go unpunished and strike back at them before you go to rest by the Mother's side.

As she is saying these words Lady Amalthea charges the Belor, horn lowered, trying to make herself gain its attention so that Livana could use the distraction to get the prince to safety.

[roll1] Damage [roll2]

A moment after the unicorn charges ghostly shapes arise from their body and charge at the balor from all sides, hearing Rosalind's call and wishing to aid their prince, even if it was from beyond the grave.

Fluffed it as the souls pounding into the demon hope you don't mind
Fort Save DC 25 for half damage
Caster Level Check vs SR [roll3]
If it punches through [roll4] nonlethal damage

[gallagher]

Theo takes a moment to consider what he just uncovered, and continued on his line of questions.

Where will Maltur attempt to cross over to the Material Plane?

Where can I find more help to repel the Demon Horde?

Is Natalia acting against me?

(I will give Timble time to post again before Theo starts asking after her)

[ilinares]

The balor gives a sinister laugh and tells Rosalind to do something anatomically implausible. With resolve and regret, the priestess draws on the power of the Mother to draw the spirits of the slain to her aid.

They react slowly, for Rosalind is far more accustomed to wielding the primal forces of life than those of death. Half seen, half felt as a cold anger from beyond the grave, the spirits rise to your aid. The first two - Royal guardsmen whose spectral forms echo the savage maiming they received in life - test the balor's defences; and though the iridescent aura of warding magic holds, it is clear to all that this is just the beginning.



Where will Maltur attempt to cross over to the Material Plane?

THE MOUNT OF SKULLS


Where can I find more help to repel the Demon Horde?

WAKE THE SWORD


Is Natalia acting against me?

INDIRECTLY

[Timble]

New Ganthar was in grave danger once again. Once Yara would have been annoyed more than anything, her sense of duty conflicting with her sense of self and interrupting her life. And the new Yara was also annoyed, at the senseless evil that that spread suffering for no real reason beyond existing to. But now her life was to be opposing this evil and building a new society resistant to it.

Chalice in hand, she prepares to leave. But her friends were still atop the mountain. She would have to go there first, wouldn't she?

"New Ganthar needs me, but why? And where should I start?" Yara asks Relath, if he is still there. Once she has her answer, she leaves the divine realm for the site of her ascendance (Unless told that Theo/Gunn/Rosalind are no longer there, in which case to New Ganthar).

[ilinares]

Relath makes a sweeping gesture, and you find yourself looking down on the city of New Ganthar from above. The whole city is bathed in an eerie crimson light; by some instinct you cannot wholly explain, you sense that you are seeing an intrusion from the demonic he'll often called the Maw into the material plane.

Your eyes sweep the streets, distance no obstacle to your perception, as you bear witness to hundreds of demons running amock through the city.
Most of the demons are rampaging without purpose or destination; but in knots around the major Temples, the Palace, and a number of military structures you see demons behaving with strategy and focus.

And you see your allies: Gunn, Perseus and Rosalind at the Palace, and Theo at the Temple of Charis.

"Maltur drives them," Relath says, the softness of his voice at odds with the tightly controlled fury you sense from him. "He will overrun the city and, from there, the world. But you can make the difference, Yara."

[esorscher]

Gunn begins Inspiring Courage, aiding the efforts not only of those facing the Balor, but also those engaged with the lesser demons.

Perseus, so inspired, charges the Balor, flanking with Lady Amalthea. If this is to be the end, let it be a glorious one. His axe is a flurry of assault, biting into the Balor's flesh.

Gunn: Inspire Courage, +5 attack/damage as standard.

Perseus (Raging, Leap Attack, Charge, Flanking, Power Attack, Inspire Courage, Haste):
[roll0], [roll1]
[roll2], [roll3]
[roll4], [roll5]
[roll6], [roll7]
[roll8], [roll9]

[ilinares]

The heroic dwarf lands three mighty blows on the demon, feeling the furnacelike heat of its body against his flesh as the boiling ichor flies.

From behind you, Thuril looks aside from an invisible struggle of wills with the marilith long enough to shout a warning. "Ware its death throws!" he cautions you all. "Nothing within 100 feet will survive the blast!"

With an oath, Lothrain begins chivying the Prince and his other charges towards the door, a cautious retreat as youand the men of Kharheim hold the demons back.

The balor turns its furious gaze on Perseus.
"A little blood and you're planning for victory already. Optimistic, aren't you?"

So saying, it lays into Perseus with flaming sword and whip, its rage almost more palpable than the fire and steel of its onslaught.

Vorpal sword: 41 to hit for 21 damage
29 to hit for 23 damage
27 to hit for 21 damage
32 to hit for 19 damage

Flaming whip: 34 to hit for 9 damage + 4 fire
32 to hit for 7 damage +4 fire

If the whip hits, it entangles Perseus. In that event , make an opposed strength check (balor's roll: 14.) If the succeeds it traps Perseus against its flaming body, where it deals an extra 21 fire damage.

[dantiesilva]

Sister Rosalind watches the entire ordeal as Perseus and the demon class like two mythical beasts of legend. The fact either was still alive was surprising to say the least, however when Thuril reminds them all of its death throws she pauses thinking about her next course of action. "Gunn please communicate this." Rosalind says as she shows him an image of her, Perseus, and Lady Amalthea holding the demons back while everyone else feel back. She was confident she could keep the two of them alive, and Lady Amalthea would simply return to the forest she was summoned from suffering no harm. While she waits for the mental reply she watches her magic slowly patch up Perseus, not wanting to use more power than was necessary as they only had one chance at doing this right.

Basically she is allowing her mental wall to come down to communicate with Gunn and hoping he can convince everyone else to go with the plan or offer a better one.

[Timble]

Yara grimaced as she took in the sight.
"How Do we stop it? She asks, "And where am I most needed?

[esorscher]

Gunn receives Rosalind's mental image, and communicates telepathically to everyone on their side: When this Balor is near death, be prepared to escape this room. Rosalind, Perseus, and Amalthea will keep the demons at bay. Whether they choose to listen, is of course, up to them. But Gunn, for his part, will. Before leaving the room, he uses his Belt of Battle to cast an additional spell this round.

Belt of Battle for a bonus full-round action, Ray of Dizziness first, then Force Missiles, both boosted with Song of Arcane Power

Ray of Dizziness CL vs. SR: [roll0]
Force Missiles CL vs. SR: [roll1]; [roll2] force damage

Perseus, for his part, has no intention of retreating at any cost. If I die, I die, he allows himself to think, momentarily distracted from battle by Gunn's mental whisper. Then he adopts his traditional tactic of teleporting a short distance away before charging into the fray once more.

Anklet of Translocation to teleport away, then:

Perseus (Raging, Leap Attack, Charge, Flanking, Power Attack, Inspire Courage, Haste):
[roll3], [roll4]
[roll5], [roll6]
[roll7], [roll8]
[roll9], [roll10]
[roll11], [roll12]

[dantiesilva]

As Perseus Launches himself forward she can only hope the others had time to receive the message and flee as she infuses Perseus with one of her most powerful spells and watches as it seal up all of his wounds in the process and hopefully gives him a better chance to shrug off most of the explosion.

As Perseus is still full on temp hp he will be getting the +5 Competence bonus to Ref saves for 1 round instead

Heal spell heals him for 150 hp, Augment healing adds another 12, invigorated healing gets rid of any of these conditions (if they are not already gone by heal) Dazed, Exhausted, Fatigued, Sickened, and Stunned

I used Spontaneous heal ability from Combat medic to replace heroes feast with Heal

Lady Amalthea seeing that she won't be able to harm the demon herself instead chooses to make herself a rather large target it can't ignore giving Perseus the best chance to do what must be done. And should the demon prepare to explode she vanishes back to her home.

Lady Amalthea will use Aid another to grant Perseus a +2 on his attack rolls

[ilinares]

Reeling from Gunn's supernatural bombardment, the balor is ill prepared for Perseus to renew his attack. In seconds, its body has sustained intolerable trauma; the fiery energy barely contained by its shell starts to erupt from each wound, until it explodes with bone shattering force.

Perseus is, inevitably, caught in the explosion, too close to its point of origin for any effective countermeasures.

100 damage, DC 30 Reflex save for half.

The dwarves however react with speed and precision that can only be the result of long training. When Perseus starts his attack, the dwarves disengage and rush to stand behind Thuril; as the death blow lands, the Runewarden raises a hand in an ancient gesture of denial. A blazing azure rune appears in the air in front of him, barely visible ripples of force radiating out from it to form an unyielding vertical plane.

The wall of force divides the demons from the mortals, and the explosion of energy crashes into it - and is repelled. Not so the surviving demons: caught in the blast from their own ally, battered and bleeding from many blows, they are consumed in an instant.

The wall of force is unyielding; not so the physical walls around you. Timbers crack; plaster flies apart, and there is an alarming tumult of sound. Already weakened by the fire, the building is now traumatised to the point of destruction.

Dismissing the wall of force, Thuril gestures urgently and somewhat wild-eyed for you to follow as the dwarves rush out of the room.

Outside, the Prince stares at the burning building with an expression of horror and grief. It is Chancellor Rithelm who greets you first, coughing from the smoke as he raises a hand in greeting.

"Your intervention was timely, soldiers. And I won't waste precious time looking the gift-horse in the mouth. Clearly, we are under attack. What intelligence - and what aid - can you offer us?"

Relath nods approvingly at you. "Indeed. Priorities.

"The rift between your reality and the Hells cannot be sealed until the resonance is disrupted. Think of it as a wound with the blade still inside it. In short, there can be no evil deity of war present in New Ganthar if the breach is to close.

"Redeeming Charis will end the resonance between Her and Maltur, and is the course I urge you to pursue. If you fail at that, resealing Her in the prison built to hold Her will achieve the same goal - as would destroying Her, but that would be a tragedy beyond measure.

"But Maltur has already begun forming an avatar in New Ganthar. That avatar must also be destroyed, before you attempt to seal the breach.

"Know that events have been orchestrated to give you a chance against Him. Though few powers indeed can threaten a god, your own divinity makes you capable of harming Him. The Sword of Tariel, fully awakened and in the hands of the Champion of Charis, can also pierce Maltur's defences. And a Runelord of Kharheim, standing in his own plane, is a threat no extraplanar foe can ignore - although perhaps… Yes. I can aid you but a little, Yara, for the war rages on other fronts where all my strength is needed. But the cleansing of evil is My responsibility and My forte. And so i give you this."

He hands you what appears to be a sapphire the size of your fist. You sense instinctively, however, that it is not a physical object at all; it is a working of divine power and authority, dormant until called upon, a spell - if so prosaic a word can apply - that awaits its appointed time.

"With this, you can break a curse - even one divinely ordained. It will function only once. I suggest you use it wisely.

"Now, if you succeed, the Great Runes of Kharheim are the key to closing the breach. Thuril can tell you more, but he will need your aid to strengthen the Rune sufficiently for this task.

"Go then to your friends. Carry out the ritual to restore long-mourned Charis. Then kick Maltur back to the Hells from whence He came!"

[dantiesilva]

Rosalind watches as the last blow falls upon the demon and it begins to come undone at the seems. Almost as if it was programed into them she watched with amazement as the dwarven warriors flooded behind Thuril and the Runewarden created a great Rune to protect them. So preoccupied was she with the grace and skill of these dwarves and how effortlessly they seemed to work in union she almost completely forgot about the warning Thuril had given them all as the shock wave of the Balor exploding fell over her.

It was a brief thing, however the effects had been dangerous and very deadly had those less prepared been caught in the blast. Looking first to Perseus and then to the others she makes sure everyone is safe and healed, allowing her own wounds to heal naturally on their own, which was happening rapidly as burnt and chared skin fell away to be replaced with fresh rosy pink skin.

Once outside the room she listens to what everyone has to say before saying simply to the prince. "While the destruction may seem great to you, think off all the poor who have nothing as it is and are losing everything to these demons. This building was simply that, a thing just as my temple was. We must protect the people first." she says kindly before turning to Chancellor Rithelm. "My faith's greatest warrior is already on the field taking the fight to the largest threats he comes into contact with. Once I knew the prince was safe I was going to seek my pupil and try to add to our forces." she says before looking to the prince. "These forces I call will not be the living, however they will not be the dead either if that makes any sense. The souls of all that have died these last few days protecting their families I intend to call upon and ask them to once more take mortal form for a short time to finish their duty. It is not something I have done before, and thus why I seek out my apprentice who has a closer tie to the Mother than I who holds a strong connection to the father. If we succeed you will have another force protecting the poor quarter and helping my faiths warrior in the field. They will have explicit instructions however to stay far away from the temple of Berun and its followers as they will see no difference." she explains quickly trying to make this as quick as possible before departing to do her part before the final confrontation.

[gallagher]

Question 8 - Does Lord Commander Niall still threaten to split the Temple if I am successful?

Question 9 - Has Yara been successful in restoring the Chalice of Relath?

Question 10 - does Natalia threaten to break the Pact between our Gods?

Question 11 - Has Natalia or her God acted in support of Maltur since I have arrived in New Ganthar?

(I'll post the last two question in my next post, but since the party is split and I'm behind, I'm going to also start my next bit now too).

Theo, armed with knowledge and the confidence of a man ordained by his goddess, exits his temple and heads to his troops - and hopefully Niall - ready to slay some demons. The Sword in his hand feels alive to him, ready to spill the ichor of the demonic forces threatening Ganthar.

Weeks ago, Theo would have felt a righteous fury at this moment. But now, as the Champion, as the High Priest of Her Temple, the emotion didn't reach his heart. Theo has found serenity, confidence, and purpose where there was once anger. This is his destiny, and regardless of what happens next, Theo would face it with eyes wide open.

[ilinares]

Question 8 - Does Lord Commander Niall still threaten to split the Temple if I am successful?


SUCCESS WILL SPLIT THE TEMPLE REGARDLESS. THE DIVISION CENTRES AROUND NIALL BUT IS FAR OLDER - THE INEVITABLE RESULT OF ARTIFICIAL PEACE BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL.


Question 9 - Has Yara been successful in restoring the Chalice of Relath?


YES


Question 10 - does Natalia threaten to break the Pact between our Gods?

NO - SHE WILL STRIDENTLY OPPOSE ANY WHO SEEK TO BREAK IT.


Question 11 - Has Natalia or her God acted in support of Maltur since I have arrived in New Ganthar?


NO. NATALIA AND VALACLES OPPOSE MALTUR - IT IS THE MEANS BY WHICH THEY WILL DO SO WHICH YOU MUST PREVENT.

[/QUOTE]Theo, armed with knowledge and the confidence of a man ordained by his goddess, exits his temple and heads to his troops - and hopefully Niall - ready to slay some demons. The Sword in his hand feels alive to him, ready to spill the ichor of the demonic forces threatening Ganthar.

Weeks ago, Theo would have felt a righteous fury at this moment. But now, as the Champion, as the High Priest of Her Temple, the emotion didn't reach his heart. Theo has found serenity, confidence, and purpose where there was once anger. This is his destiny, and regardless of what happens next, Theo would face it with eyes wide open.[/QUOTE]

At the entrance to the Temple, you find that matters have escalated. A dozen vulpine vrock demons, a pair of toad-like hezrous, and a score of dretches have assembled and are gathering outside, waiting some cue to attack; Niall stands with the Templar defenders, an array of scrolls and relics at his side. As you watch, he chooses one - a dusty wax seal inset with the symbol of Charis in cold iron - and hefts it thoughtfully. Seeing your approach, he gestures at the demons.

"Patience in a demon is a bad sign," he growls. "Some fell power bends them to its will, imposing strategy and discipline where there should be anarchy. No prizes for guessing who it is.

"Best we get outside, Father. With these relics, I can seal the Temple against anything short of a demon lord. But there won't be anyone getting out after it starts."

At that moment, there is a strike of crimson lightning from the roiling skies overhead - and on the blackened circle of ground where it was earthed, a hulking demon of barely-contained fire now squats.

"Balor," Niall spits in the tone of a curse. "Well, Charis never promised an easy life."


I'll wait for Esorscher before I post for Rosalind, Gunn et al.

[esorscher]

Gunn takes Rosalind's offered healing without objection, a new respect for her in his eyes. Perhaps finally, after all these battles, he has come to see her value. Facing a Balor alone will do that. But apologies will have to wait.

He bows to the Prince in a sign of respect befitting his station as a lord, and says, after the suitable honorifics, "We must reconnect with our companions, Theo and Yara. We have a plan; if we are successful, we may save not only New Ganthar, but the world." Addressing all their allies, he says, "If you or your orders have any ancestral relics, now is the time to put them to use. Stay safe; the day is neither won nor lost, and we will need to help each other again before the day is out." He mentally communicates with Manny Fester, that they need teleportation to Theo's church, or as close to it as possible. "Any who wish to join us," he says, looking particularly at Perseus's dwarven brothers-in-arms, "Your continued aid is most welcome."

[Timble]

Yara accepts the jewel. The power to break any curse... a very useful tool she would have to be very careful with.
"Thank you for this gift, I will try to use it well. I shall go support Theo, is there anything else I should know right now?"

Whatever the answer, Yara then directs herself to Travel to New Ganthar, appearing near Theo.

[ilinares]

Thuril nods to Gunn. "I'll handle my men, friend. We will stand beside you until the battle is done."

Lothrain lays a hand on the hilt of his blade in an unconscious gesture of readiness, and declares, "I shall take the Prince and the Chancellors to the Temple of Relath. It is the most defensible structure in the city, and I have certain relics there that I can use in this emergency. Go with the blessing of Relath, my friends."

Clauth demurs with a slight shake of the head. "My God has answered my prayers for the first time in decades," he says softly. "Dalvar, who was slain, now acts in the world once more. It is not the time for prudence and patience. I must know what this means. I would go with you, Mr Gunn, if I may."

Manny Fester appears at that moment. Once all who want to travel to the Temple of Charis are assembled, he manifests his trademark power once more, treating mere geography with the contempt it deserves.

Relath shakes his head. "You know where the enemy is and how to defeat Him. What more does a warrior need to know? Go then with My blessing, little cousin."

The region outside of the Temple of Charis teems with lesser demons, as well as a handful of their stronger kin. The abrupt materialisation of a cadre of dwarves and some of the mightiest champions of humanity, however, gives them pause.

Then, with a sound like a thunderclap, Yara appears.

It is immediately clear that the psion has been transfigured. Light and warmth radiate from her; and on a fundamental level, you are conscious of her presence as of nothing else around you, as though she is the only thing of real substance in a world of mist and lies.

You know from experience what it is like to be in the presence of the divine.

That is what it feels like to see Yara unveiled.

The lesser demons flee in terror. One stumbles, falling into its allies' path; it is torn apart in seconds, the wretched creatures caring not that the swiftest path to escape was through their brethren's flesh.

With a roar, the balor leading this group gathers its remaining followers - a handful of vrocks and hezrou - and readies to attack. Perhaps it expects this neonate deity to be easy pickings.

The demons act on initiative count 15. Roll initiative, and anyone who beats that roll can act immediately.

[gallagher]

Question 10 - I know you saw that a day like this would come. May Your Wisdom guide my Sword. Is the ritual, described in the journals of Aenar, my ancestor... does it work as he describes?

Question 11 - I have no final question. I go forth to do your bidding. May my final words that reach you be this. I love Thee, Charis, as much as any mortal may. Everything I do, I do for Thee.

The answers revealed to Theo from his Goddess may have been few, but it all became clear. He must awaken the Sword. There were five jewels on the hilt of the Champion's Blade, three of which were alight. Days ago, Tariel had shown him five memories, of course they corresponded to the jewels. There were two left - to be the Unifier, and to continue the line of heroes. He may not have time to sire a child, but he could do his best to be a unifier. Theo knew that the time had come to be honest with his Lord Commander, and trust that armed with the truth, the whole truth, that Niall would understand that this was his only option. Hopefully, it would work, and four jewels would be enough. Theo made the sign of the sword over his heart.

Approaching Niall, Theo cast Divine Insight, and Visage of the Diety, knowing that he needed every bit of Grace from Charis to aid his speech. Lord Commander, he said, demons standing about but before the Balor had appeared, Brother. It is true, our greatest trial is before us, and our sacred vow is to be tested. Charis has revealed to me everything I must know. Maltur will seek to breech our plane. He will attempt to step foot on our soil at the Mount of Skulls. This is the entire reason I am here - Tariel sired Aenar, beginning the line that brought me hear. Charis made me Champion and brought to me the Sword of my ancestor, so that I may wield it against our greatest foe.

Our Goddess orchestrated these events because She, in all Her Wisdom, knew that this day would come. There is but one way to defeat Maltur, and in that there is hope. If I am successful, if we are successful, Maltur will be dashed into oblivion, his very essence scattered into the hells. It will be generations before a new being takes up his mantle and threatens our world again. If I am successful, with Maltur gone the Pact will have been fulfilled. Peace will follow for many, but not for our Temple. We may no longer be allies after this, but I will still call you Brother. If I am successful, I will still fight beside you, and I will still fight for you, until my last breath, for any fight that remains to us.

But if I am successful, my purpose will have been fulfilled, and the Temple will have no more need of me. Or if I fail, I will die in the attempt. Either way, after this fight, you will be High Priest. After today, you will be Father Niall. There will be Good and Evil men and women that cannot see eye-to-eye, yet every one of them willingly and fervently give their heart and soul to Charis. They will bicker and fight and challenge each other every day. You must be Father to them all. You must live so you can be Father to them all.

There is no coincidence why Maltur is going to the Mount of Skulls. There lay the only weapon that can defeat Maltur for good, there lay either his greatest victory or his ultimate defeat. It is why those portraits hung, bearing my face and those of my allies, from generations before my birth. Charis Saw that this day would come. I hope you know that every thing that I have done, everything in my heart is for Charis. I know that you understand me, to a certain point, but there is still something in your heart that you hold. I have one last request of you, Brother. For I may awaken tomorrow at the Side of Charis, to join her Eternal Watch with our many Brothers who have gone before us. Niall, my Brother, I need you to forgive me. He put his hand to Niall's shoulder and looked in his eyes, hoping to see the glimmer of forgiveness light within the Lord Commander. (Diplomacy roll, with some hope at a really big RP bonus, in the hopes it accomplishes the Unifier bit :smallbiggrin: [roll0])

Then, the Balrog appeared. Niall uttered his quip, and Theo snorted a short laugh. No, but She makes strong warriors that can win the hardest fights. Theo then whispers to Niall. You charge first, I will move and cast Knights Move to set up the flank. If the other demons move in, I will speak Dictum and force them back. When we fell the Balor, I will make haste to my other allies, and we will seek to make our stand at the Mount of Skulls. Thenceforth, the Temple is yours. May you have better fortune as High Priest than I.

Theo then cast Divine Power, and turned to face the Balor. Just as he does, his allies appear on the other side of the huddled enemies... And in the next instant, Yara returns, wreathed in the power sourced from divinity itself. Awe washed over the battlefield, and Theo knew that they would make short work of these petty demons.

[esorscher]

"Another Balor?" Gunn asks, though to no one in particular. Let us see what a 'god' can do, he thinks to himself, waiting to see if Yara has some new trick up her sleeve.

[dantiesilva]

"Good luck Lothrain, and if you see a vampire fighting the demons tell you men not to engage. He is with me, though he will defend himself if attacked I suspect. If you have any who would not attack him and can hold their own, he is attacking the biggest threats across New Ganther as we speak and could use the aid, even if he would never admit it." she adds suspecting Melchizar would never ask for aid so quickly.

Seeing no reason to delay and knowing the quickest way for her to meet up with Pran would be for her to go to the temple of Charis anyways she nods her head to join the others as they teleport away. "Gunn when we arrive at the temple of Charis I will channel one of my spells to grant the defenders of the temple the ability to heal their wounds faster then any mortal, once I finish this spell however could you have Manny teleport me to the temple of Berun? I need to get Pran and I doubt we have the time while an invasion is going on to save one temple before moving to the next and thus we must work across many fields at once. I intend to take Pran and head to the poor district and move towards the temple of bones until he can connect with its power so we can try to raise an army to protect the poor district." she explains as they get ready to teleport.

The moment the group arrives Rosalind immediately gets to work casting her spell, and as she works a divine glyph appears on the ground granting eight of the front line defenders a momentary boost in their ability to stand and fight.

So we know when Rosalind's spell goes into effect [roll0]
Spell is vigorous circle FH 3 for 8 people for 27 rounds
Then it gets the Rosalind cocktail sauce +12 hp healed from Augment Healing
+17 temp hp from Imbued Healing
+25 temp hp from Healing Kicker, +1 Morale bonus on attack rolls and saves against fear (which will be overwritten once Gunn does his thing)

As she finishes casting the spell she looks up and notices Yara and a smile crosses her face. "It's good to see you again friend, I take it your mission was a success?"

[ilinares]

Question 10 - I know you saw that a day like this would come. May Your Wisdom guide my Sword. Is the ritual, described in the journals of Aenar, my ancestor... does it work as he describes?

YES


Question 11 - "I have no final question. I go forth to do your bidding. May my final words that reach you be this. I love Thee, Charis, as much as any mortal may. Everything I do, I do for Thee.


MY DEAR CHAMPION. I KNOW I ASK MORE OF YOU THAN I SHOULD. YOU ARE THE BEST AND BRAVEST OF MY SERVANTS, THE ONE I CAN TRUST TO DO WHAT NO OTHER CAN. I GO INTO THE DARKNESS WITH HOPE, FOR I KNOW THAT YOU WILL BE MY BEACON OF LIGHT. GO WITH MY BLESSING.


The answers revealed to Theo from his Goddess may have been few, but it all became clear. He must awaken the Sword. There were five jewels on the hilt of the Champion's Blade, three of which were alight. Days ago, Tariel had shown him five memories, of course they corresponded to the jewels. There were two left - to be the Unifier, and to continue the line of heroes. He may not have time to sire a child, but he could do his best to be a unifier. Theo knew that the time had come to be honest with his Lord Commander, and trust that armed with the truth, the whole truth, that Niall would understand that this was his only option. Hopefully, it would work, and four jewels would be enough. Theo made the sign of the sword over his heart.

Approaching Niall, Theo cast Divine Insight, and Visage of the Diety, knowing that he needed every bit of Grace from Charis to aid his speech. Lord Commander, he said, demons standing about but before the Balor had appeared, Brother. It is true, our greatest trial is before us, and our sacred vow is to be tested. Charis has revealed to me everything I must know. Maltur will seek to breech our plane. He will attempt to step foot on our soil at the Mount of Skulls. This is the entire reason I am here - Tariel sired Aenar, beginning the line that brought me hear. Charis made me Champion and brought to me the Sword of my ancestor, so that I may wield it against our greatest foe.

Our Goddess orchestrated these events because She, in all Her Wisdom, knew that this day would come. There is but one way to defeat Maltur, and in that there is hope. If I am successful, if we are successful, Maltur will be dashed into oblivion, his very essence scattered into the hells. It will be generations before a new being takes up his mantle and threatens our world again. If I am successful, with Maltur gone the Pact will have been fulfilled. Peace will follow for many, but not for our Temple. We may no longer be allies after this, but I will still call you Brother. If I am successful, I will still fight beside you, and I will still fight for you, until my last breath, for any fight that remains to us.

But if I am successful, my purpose will have been fulfilled, and the Temple will have no more need of me. Or if I fail, I will die in the attempt. Either way, after this fight, you will be High Priest. After today, you will be Father Niall. There will be Good and Evil men and women that cannot see eye-to-eye, yet every one of them willingly and fervently give their heart and soul to Charis. They will bicker and fight and challenge each other every day. You must be Father to them all. You must live so you can be Father to them all.

There is no coincidence why Maltur is going to the Mount of Skulls. There lay the only weapon that can defeat Maltur for good, there lay either his greatest victory or his ultimate defeat. It is why those portraits hung, bearing my face and those of my allies, from generations before my birth. Charis Saw that this day would come. I hope you know that every thing that I have done, everything in my heart is for Charis. I know that you understand me, to a certain point, but there is still something in your heart that you hold. I have one last request of you, Brother. For I may awaken tomorrow at the Side of Charis, to join her Eternal Watch with our many Brothers who have gone before us. Niall, my Brother, I need you to forgive me. He put his hand to Niall's shoulder and looked in his eyes, hoping to see the glimmer of forgiveness light within the Lord Commander.

The Lord Commander looks stunned at your words, then abruptly laughs.

"How could I not? If you're going to go to all the trouble of vacating the High Priesthood for me, it would be churlish of me to hold a grudge.

"Well, then. It looks like we need to clear out this rabble and deal with this pesky demonic invasion so we can move on to important things." His eyes sparkle with merriment as he draws his sword, a wickedly glinting two-handed affair with a blade resembling polished obsidian and an ivory hilt, its pommel set with a diamond that crackles with lightning. "By your command, Father?"

Niall's forgiveness eases your soul, but when you draw the Sword of Tariel, it is still three sapphires that ignite at your touch. Perhaps you have misjudged what is still required of you.

But time is running short to figure it out.

I'll wait for Timble before posting actions in combat.

[ilinares]

Niall charges into the massed ranks of demons, his eyes fixed on the balor. His sword moves twice to ward off blows, then he cuts down a vrock standing between him and his target with a crushing overhand blow to the skull. The demon dies instantly - and its form is sucked into the dark blade in the Lord Commander's hand like water down a hole. The blade begins to glow with a sinister indigo light.

Try though they might, the lesser demons cannot penetrate Niall's defences. Bellowing a challenge, the balor wades forward into the fray, kicking one unfortunate vrock aside with rib-shattering force to clear a path. The fiery demon rains blows down on the Lord Commander, who cries out in pain and defiance as his shoulder audibly breaks.

The two hezrous seem to decide staying out of Niall's reach - and that of their own leader - would be prudent, and they turn their attention to other threats. The first charges at Perseus, an act so unwise as to qualify as suicidal, uttering a blasphemy that lacks the strength to cause anything more than mild discomfort. The second unleashes a blast of anarchic energy that may be slightly more threatening. In truth, you are now heroes of such stature that the toad-like demons are barely an inconvenience.

20' radius burst centred on Perseus. Lawful creatures take 26 damage, or 13 if neutral - Will DC 18 half. Chaotic creatures unaffected. Outsiders take 40 damage if lawful or 20 if neutral, same save for half.

A lawful creature who fails his save is slowed for 1 round.

Please declare your next rounds actions when you're free - don't worry about initiative order relative to other players.

[gallagher]

Seeing the Lord Commander charge in, slay one demon, and meet the Balor, Theo took his chance. Charging into the fray, Theo dashed right up to join battle against the Balor. He lined up to swing with three steps to go, then muttered a holy word to teleport right behind his foe. With its back turned, Theo swung his holy blade.

[spoiler]I will use Divine Impetus to sacrifice a TU attempt to add 4 to the attack roll and 1d10 to the damage. War Leader's Charge provokes no attacks of opportunity on the charge and adds 35 damage. Theo had cast Divine Power just before, and just now cast Knight's Move. Is the Sword of Tariel cold iron in any way? I will exclude electric damage from these rolls, as I know that the balor is immune. I will use a smite evil attempt as well. Power attack for 5

Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1] + [roll2][spoiler]

[ilinares]

Theo goes forth to do battle with this demon, sword ablaze with holy fire, and uses his Goddess's blessings to get behind the creature while its attention is focused on Niall. Yet some unholy force protects the demon, turning his blade at the last instant so that it misses entirely.

[dantiesilva]

Round 2

As the others go into battle with the Balor Sister Rosalind calls out to all their allies in the front lines, warning them about the destructive powers of Balors when they die, something she had just witnessed first hand moments before, making sure they all knew to be ready to find cover at a moments notice. For herself she pushes through the swarm of warriors trying to place herself within sight of Theo and the others battling the Balor so she could help them, while also trying to shelter the warriors of Charis for the demons attacking them.

"Father I call to you, please send down one of your children to help us in this time of need."

As she finishes the spell a small glowing orb of light appears on the side of Niall and floats down to his arm. Where the light from the orb touches the bones begin to shift underneath the skin, seemingly trying to put themselves back into place and mend themselves together.

Niall Healed [roll0] +44 temp hp

[Timble]

Before the fight proper:
"Its good to see you to," Yara replies to Rosalind. "The chalice is purified and I am renewed."
She then turns to consider the demons, wondering how exactly to unleash her powers upon them.

Fight:
Finally inspiration came to her. Quicker then ever before, two constructs of massive stature and long claws appeared around the Balor.

Using the Salient Divine Abilities to Twin and Quicken Astral Construct.
C1: [roll]19d10+40[roll]
C2: [roll]19d10+40[roll]

Then using the Salient Divine abilities to Twin Astral Construct to appear at the start of next turn.
C3: [roll]19d10+40[roll]
C4: [roll]19d10+40[roll]

Each has:
Constrict
Rend
Muscle
Extra Attack



C1:
A1: [roll]1d20+30[roll] for [roll0]
Grapple Attempt: [roll]1d20+40[roll] + on success [roll1]
A2: [roll]1d20+30[roll] for [roll2]
Grapple Attempt: [roll]1d20+40[roll] + on success [roll3]
A3: [roll]1d20+30[roll] for [roll4]
Grapple Attempt: [roll]1d20+40[roll] + on success [roll5]
Rend if 2 Attacks hit: [roll6]

C2:
A1: [roll]1d20+30[roll] for [roll7]
Grapple Attempt: [roll]1d20+40[roll] + on success [roll8]
A2: [roll]1d20+30[roll] for [roll9]
Grapple Attempt: [roll]1d20+40[roll] + on success [roll10]
A3: [roll]1d20+30[roll] for [roll11]
Grapple Attempt: [roll]1d20+40[roll] + on success [roll12]
Rend if 2 Attacks hit: [roll13]

On Grappling:
If any of the grapple checks work, none of the following attacks for that construct occur. Instead it is purely the grapple check. The first construct to succeed on a grapple check will use its remaining grapples to pin, any remaining to damage (Presumably the rend can go off from damage attempts if not successful constrict but unsure). Constrict damage as normal per grapple attempt, use the damage for the normal attack for any damage attempt (Remember that grapple attempts for the purpose of damaging with a weapon/natural weapon have a -4). Once one construct has the balor pinned, the other will just use its grapple attempts to damage.

[esorscher]

Seeing the tactic had worked effectively against the previous Balor, Gunn fires a ray of dizziness at this one.

Song of Arcane Power to boost CL as move, Ray of Dizziness CL vs. SR: [roll0]

Perseus, for his part, uses the only real tool in his arsenal, launching himself in a frenzy at the demon. A simple tactic, but frequently effective.

Perseus (Raging, Leap Attack, Charge, Flanking, Power Attack, Inspire Courage, Haste):

[roll1], [roll2]
[roll3], [roll4]
[roll5], [roll6]
[roll7], [roll8]
[roll9], [roll10]

[ilinares]

Yara conjures twin monstrosities from her imagination, manifesting power with a speed impossible for mere mortals. The balor is forced to defend itself on two fronts; its attention thus divided, it successfully guards against one creature but is struck twice by the second. Barely visible tentacles wrench at the magma of the demon's form, injuring it but being exposed to terrible heat.

21 fire damage on Construct 1. One of its two successful attacks also led to a successful grapple attempt, hence the damage.

Not to be outdone by the neonate divinity, Perseus charges into the fray. His mighty axe lashes out in a blur of motion, so swift even this powerful demon cannot defend against every blow, sending burning ichor flying from two deep cuts.

Round 2

Rosalind focuses her healing on Niall, bolstering the dark servant of the Sentinel to stand firm against the foe. For his part, Niall seems to glory in the certainty of combat, his cruel blade hungry for demonic blood; yet for all his skill and determination, for now he can find no weakness in the balor's defences.

The two hezrou demons that Perseus had ignored in favour of the balor turn their attention to Yara. They lash out with blasts of chaos and sin, thinking perhaps to please their warlike Master by slaying His newest rival. The dark magic washes over the aura of glory around Yara - and disperses harmlessly, the minor demons hopelessly out of their league when faced by the arcane defences of a goddess.

Stricken by Gunn's magic, the balor's movements are halting and disjointed; but it remains a deadly threat, as it proves by calling down fire on the entire force assembled against it.

Everyone takes 69 points of fire damage, DC 26 Reflex save for half. Spell resistance check if applicable: 32.

Demons and NPCs - 15
Theo (delayed) - 15
Gunn & Perseus - 15
Yara - 7
Rosalind - 20 (next round, but post when ready)

[ilinares]

With such staggering forces on your side, the battle is brief, its outcome a foregone conclusion. In moments the balor and its lesser servants are slain, the explosion of flame at its demise easily contained by Yara's newfound power.

There follows a lull in the fighting as both sides take stock and regroup; an opportunity perhaps to catch one another up on recent events. Yet the hellish rift still mars the skies, and demons still stalk the city you each call home. Only by closing that rift can that threat be addressed; and nothing short of a god stands between you and victory.

In the meantime, a message reaches Rosalind from Melchizar. The greater demons are dead, but it can only be a matter of minutes before they are replaced. If you have the means to seal the rift, I would suggest you use it.

I - wait. There is something... A trace of immortal energy, well concealed. I am going to investigate.

[dantiesilva]

As the last of the demonic forces fall Sister Rosalind goes about making sure all the living remain so as she uses her dwindling powers to heal those she can. It is during this time she receives her message from Melchizar. "Thank you Melchizar, I know you enjoy what you are doing but you are saving countless lives with what you are doing and protecting many innocents who would have died far to early had it not been for you." the priestess of the Lovers sends through their connection, letting him know how proud and thankful she was of everything he was doing. Be careful Melchizar, we will go to seal the rift while you investigate. I will hopefully be able to send aid your way shortly, though they will be nowhere near as powerful as you. Only you can stop those who break the natural order my friend." she replies mentally to him, her voice full of worry for him, as well as conviction in the fact that they each are doing what they must.

"Melchizar has taken care of all of the greater demons that have passed through as of this moment, the rest should be able to be repelled by a combined effort if all of our forces work together. However he is going to investigate a disturbance that has been trying to hide itself, I would ask for aid to join him however the prince needs all of you who are here, and I doubt you have many who would work with my friend. We need to consollidate our forces and make a push back while at the same time, Mr. Gunn, Perseus, Theo, Yara, and myself all need to go take care of the breach in the sky and seal it before any other powers get through. I trust you all can handle damage control, and do not forget the poor quarters, trust me I will know." she adds, to the leaders, making it clear that those living their were still their people.

My idea is now that the churches are more or less free from the major fighting they can start going on the offensive, joined with the fellowship as well as the local military they should be able to put up a good enough force to if not push back the demonic invasion, at least halt/slow its progress. I have no doubt Gunn would have a safe house that the prince could use as a local command post however thats up to him if hes willing to share it.

"Mr. Gunn can Manny bring me to the temple of Berun to speak with Pran please, or bring Pran here." she asks hoping he would but honestly unsure as he had nothing to gain from doing so at this exact moment, then again he could simply charge her for the spell.

It's been a while so as a reminder, Rosalind wants to bring Pran with her to the mountain of bones as he is tied more to the Mother and thus the energy their resignates with him as it is necrotic and negative energy. She is hoping to use that extra fuel to have him be able to raise an undead platoon or such to help defend New Ganther/support Melchizar. This will put another piece on the board for our side while we try to cut off the enemies way of producing more allies. If possible a special team that is highly specialized in hunting down the cultists of Malture and the Betrayer to make sure they can't help tear rifts open would be a good idea as well.

[gallagher]

We will go forth as one to seal the rift. How do you propose to do so? Theo asks Rosalind, not knowing much about interplanar travel himself. But we must make haste. Maltur intends to take the Mount of Skulls, and use it as the platform to spread his influence throughout our plane. We must get there before he does.

[esorscher]

Setting aside his greed, Gunn nods. There would be no profit to be made if the world ended, after all. It was in his own rational self-interest to see that the status quo was preserved. Manny appears at their side, and complies with Rosalind's instructions.

[ilinares]

Thuril Drakeslayer steps forward, loosening the collar of the fur-lined, cowled cloak that marks him as a Runewarden of Kharheim. Taking a quick swig from a canteen, he gestures towards the rift with it before securing the lid again.

"I can seal the rift, with the help of Perseus," he assures you. "But not as it is now. Think of it like a wound with the blade still inside: I can't stitch it until you draw it out.

"Specifically, it's the resonance between Maltur and the Daughter that is keeping it open. End the resonance, by either destroying the Daughter or so thoroughly changing her that the affinity ends, and I can do the job. Well, unless Maltur's avatar gets through first: same problem again, but worse. If that happens, you need to destroy the avatar."

Manny appears, responding swiftly to Gunn's summons. The Temple of Berun beckons from across the city square for those who wish to go there; or the nomad stands ready to bear you to more distant locations.

[dantiesilva]

"Sadly that is the domain of the runewardens who were gifted the great runes. Thankfully Thuril has already answered that for us, and the prophet has given us one of many ways to remove the blade in the wound. The question is which way would you prefer. I plan on asking Pran for help only to help so he can raise some of the fallen to protect their families. That sadly has little to do with what we need to do." the priestess of the Lover's says.

"Either choice my magical powers are almost depleted for meaning I will not be able to assist to greatly compared to normal. However if you wish to perform the one detailed in the book we will need to go about collecting the remaining items we do not already posses, and quickly." she explains to Theo as she begins walking over to the temple of Berun looking for Pran.

Didn't realize the temple of Berun was so close to the palace otherwise wouldn't have asked for manny fester, my bad.

[Timble]

"Do we have all the ritual components?" Yara asks. "I have the Lens and the Chalice. We need the staff from Katraya. I have no idea where the Tome ended up however, hopefully the ritual is possible without it."

"I'll head to the temple of Maya for the staff. We should leave as soon as all possible artifacts are gathered."

Yara considers the upcoming encounter with the Daughter. She wasn't willing to transfer Dalvar's power to the ex-god, but didn't want to kill it. There wasn't much that she knew of the ritual. Was it going to be possible to save the Daughter without granting divinity? Hopefully so.

[esorscher]

"I'll go with you," Gunn says to Yara. "I have the Tome. Once we have the staff, we'll have everything we need."

[dantiesilva]

Sister Rosalind nods in agreement with Gunn's statement that they had everything needed besides the staff for the ritual. "So once I have Pran with me we will go and meet you at the temple." She says looking at Theo to see if he was willing to go with her to get Pran.

[gallagher]

I will accompany you, Theo said to Rosalind. If we are going to split up, even temporarily, no one of us should go off on our own. Any one of us imperilled will prevent the rest from defeating this demonic host.

Let us regroup with haste. We must heal The Daughter and end this present threat to our world.

[ilinares]

Niall, fortunately, is far enough from your discussions not to hear your intentions. As you depart, he offers Theo a salute that has an edge of triumphant anticipation, and sets about rallying the Temple's defenders against the prospect of a renewed assault.

As you separate, your dwarven allies confer briefly before Bhatren leads his soldiers away. Thuril Drakeslayer makes his way to join Gunn and Yara. "I will help you gain this last relic," he proclaims - although it is Perseus on whom his gaze lingers. "Meanwhile, Bhatren will take our forces to the Mount of Skulls to prepare."

The journey to the Temple of Maya is brief and uneventful. The few minor demons still prowling the street flee at your approach; but the sight of mangled, half-eaten corpses is an all too frequent reminder that the invasion is not over, merely in abeyance.

So ubiquitous is the stench of burning that it is only when the Temple comes into sight that its fate becomes apparent. Where once a vibrant if dilapidated centre of worship stood, only the burned out shell of a building remains, blackened timbers gaping like a shattered ribcage beneath the putrid light of the rift.

The bodies of priestesses are strewn around, many showing signs of abuse or torture. After a swift and somewhat traumatic search, you find the mortal remains of Katraya, Guardian of this Temple: she fell in the foyer of the building, and all her injuries not caused by the flames are to the front.

Of the Sapphire Staff you came to borrow, there is no sign.

For all their pacifism, the clerics of Berun have benefited from the close proximity of temples dedicated to Relath and Charis; for the servants of the Lord of Boundless War were drawn to the twin fortresses like moths to a flame, leaving the Healer's domain mostly untouched.

The building is filled with the injured, arranged in bed after bed as healers tend to the victims of this catastrophe. Those trained as physicians toil with minor injuries and triage, including familiar faces from the Gleaming Rose; deeper within the sanctuary, the priests blessed with divine magic work to save the most grievously wounded, so numerous and so fervent in their prayers that the very air seems to ripple with positive energy.

Through it all, Pran wanders like one lost, tears streaming down his face. His gaze snaps to the door, looking through you as though you were invisible; seconds later, two blood-splattered men enter with a stretcher, on which a third man lies mutilated. The triage team rush over - but pronounce the man dead on arrival.

At last, Pran catches sight of Rosalind - and rushes to embrace her, sobs of distress muffled against her robe.

[esorscher]

"We must weigh our pursuit of this staff against the broader objective. There is a point at which continuing to search for it does more harm than good. We can complete the ritual now, without it." Gunn says, reaching out telepathically to sense anyone present. He also casts detect magic.

[dantiesilva]

As Rosalind enters the building she watches in horror at the price of war. So many innocents hurt, she immediately began letting her hands drift to both sides, giving each person she passed the smallest amount of healing she could, the effects wouldn't last long, if most were lucky a minute, however each minute was another chance for those fighting off death to say their goodbyes to loved ones or receive proper treatment. The aura of peace that surrounds her normally tries its best to calm the nerves of everyone here, she knew she couldn't stay and help like she wanted to so badly, however seeing people she had trained here was promising. And she could practically feel the energy of the Father in the air, as if it were supercharged with it as the priestess and priestess of Berun did what they could for the injured.

"Theo we must hurry...If I stay here to long I won't be able to leave." she tells him, as she struggles with herself each step to find Pran. The sounds of so many people in pain was like a dagger in the womans back that kept on getting slowly twisted so the pain never stopped.

As the woman sees Pran she notices the saddness in his eyes as well as his focus as if he was seeing something no one else could, and so she turned to look where he was staring before listening to what was pronounced. So when Pran came over Sister Rosalind embraced him as a mother would her child. "I know Pran, this hurts me as well." she says as she tries to soothe him for a minute. Trying for a moment to allow him to be the child he was knowing that what she was about to ask would be difficult for most followers of the Lovers in the most perfect conditions, this was the exact opposite and she was hoping that the power from the temple of bones would be able to help him accomplish what she believed would buy all of these people more time.

"Pran did you cast a spell, or did the sight come naturally?" she asks as she looks over to the person that had been brought in that was stated to be dead. "You can see them can't you." she asks gently, not wishing to push him to far to quickly, yet knowing that they didn't have time to learn in the normal way one should.

[Timble]

Yara nods silently at Gunn's words. Who knows where the staff had been taken.

Katraya had been a friend, and with her temple wiped out it was unlikely she would be coming back. But Yara didn't feel too sad. She had been dead before and presumably Katraya would have Maya's afterlife waiting for her. Yara makes a few of the gestures of the Feronaxian death ritual, no longer a religion she believed in but one she was comfortable and familiar with.

The demons had spread suffering and destruction all across the city. And for that she was going to make Maltur pay.

[ilinares]

Pran turns a tear-streaked face to his mentor, nodding once before screwing his eyes shut.

"It's... it's like nothing else is real," he says in a hushed voice. "Life is a dream, fleeting and false. It's only when we wake up that we become who we truly are.

"I think the Mother is calling me, Sister. Making me ready to serve Her. But it means learning to see everything as She does - and there's no time to learn gently."

Seeing Theo for the first time, his eyes widen.

"Father, beware: death stands over you like a crashing wave, immense and implacable. Within the hour, you will face a foe beyond your strength, and your mortal days will come to an end."

Gunn's magic leads him through the wreckage to a half buried trapdoor.
Ironically, the destruction may have made it easier to find: collapsed walls and burned carpets only hint at the elaborate arrangements that once shielded this door from discovery.

A spell from Thuril disarms an arcane warding, and you find yourselves looking into a basement filled with arcane objects. It is dominated by a pulsating sphere of the same sapphire that formed Katraya's staff, hovering suspended in the air as it rotates gently; the sphere is perhaps three feet in diameter, and there is a sense of energy to its depths that captivates the senses and hints at some unfathomable power within.

"Greetings, littlest sister."

The voice comes from behind you, though even Gunn had no inkling of the speaker's approach. The woman standing there is the image of Katraya, but with an ageless quality to her appearance. She is wrapped in moonlight, a silvery luminescence that protects her modesty while leaving no doubt that she has no use for clothing.

If her first words were for Yara, her eyes are on Gunn - who has to force his attention to the sound of her voice, so overwhelming is the magnitude of her mental presence.

"Do you seek the Staff of the Guardian, mortal? I cannot say I am wholly convinced of your motives for so doing."

[gallagher]

Theo stands alert as a commanding general, a hand never leaves the hilt of his sword. Though Rosalind was made uncomfortable by that very act in the past, with the hour of Charlie's triumphant redemption so near, he dare not let it leave his grasp.

Pran reveals his warning to Theo, though his words do not unnerve the Champion. I swore to spend my life for the good of our people, in service of Charis. Success or failure is not known yet, not even Charis can see through this fog. I know the great evil you speak of, and nothing will stop me from crossing swords with our mighty foe. If it costs me my life, so be it, I'll make sure that Maltur is sent to oblivion before I face my final judgment, or perish in the attempt.

[dantiesilva]

So wrapped up in current events that were unfolding far to quickly for her liking, the priestess of the Lovers didn't even notice Theo's hand on his blade in the temple of Berun as she listened to what Pran and Theo spoke of. "Our time on this world has always had an limit Pran, even now I myself am on borrowed time in order to save our brothers and sisters so that they may once more go to their promised land." Sister Rosalind says gently, making it clear that all life was fleeting. " This life is to help us grow into who we will become when we go to the outer planes, for example Theo's faith become great warriors serving in an unending war. The problem now is however to many have turned away from the light of the gods, and denied their existence making them susceptible in the afterlife to be taken by wraiths waiting for us to arrive." she explains, just enough for him to have an idea of what was on the other side and what was at stake with each mortal life.

"The Mother was not always known for being kind, however she has always given each of us no more than we could handle. If she has placed such a responsibility on you it is because she knows you will have the strength for it and will need it in your life. After all it is rare for the Mother and Father to directly touch one of their children and give them a gift as their powers are far greater then most deities that their direct force in this world always has very strong outcomes. I think she is letting you see as she does so you can comfort and speak to the dead before they pass. Sometimes to help the grieving, other times to ask them to stay behind and help protect their families." she says looking around the temple of Berun before leading him outside away from the priests and priestess of Berun as what her faith and theirs believed were very opposing when it came to what she was about to say. "You have only seen the dead used to destroy, harm, and cause pain in your life Pran. However where I come from, and our faith is built upon is that the dead are no more evil then us. They have a greater chance of falling to their darkness, however it is why we pick each soul carefully before allowing the process to take place. In Pacem most of the army is consisted of warriors known as the deathless, they are like typical undead, however they are infused with both positive and negative energy. And each warrior can trace their line back from the moment they died all the way to present day. We never give the gift of unlife lightly, the ties to this world and the people must be as strong as your own faith or else the darkness will find a way into their hearts and in time they will falter in their cause."

Sister Rosalind explains as she looks around at all the carnage. There were many dead, a great many who had the potential to become deathless no doubt, however her talents were not in such an art, and from what Pran had just told her the Mother had given him a small portion of the tool to help him determine who would be a good candidate. " Right now innocents are dying Pran and one of the Mothers first children is here now helping keep them safe. However he is alone in this chaos and has no one to help him, many of our own people would see him as evil and the temple of Berun would surely try to stop him as he is undead. However I believe you are here now in this moment to help him. He needs an army at his back Pran, and you can see the dead, do any of the souls look different to you, stand out in some way?" she asks trying to see if their might be a quick way to determine if they were suitable to become deathless.

[ilinares]

At Theo's declaration of commitment, Pran bows his head with respect. It is a strangely dignified movement in one barely more than a child; but there is something coming to fruition in Rosalind's former acolyte, and you sense you are glimpsing the man he will be through the last vestiges of his youth.

Pran takes a deep breath, steadying himself, before meeting Rosalind's gaze.

"I see much of the souls who come under our Lady's shadow," he confirms. "I see their true selves revealed, the caliber of the gift being offered to the Mother. I have not always been the best judge of character in the living; but the dead have no further place for pretence.

"Still, knowing who can and cannot be trusted with unlife is not the main issue.

"You and I may know the difference between the undead who serve the Betrayer, and those who are pledged to the Mother," he continues in a softer voice. "But most people would be as terrified by an army of corpses as they are by the demons. I know what you ask of me, and there are many who have fallen this day and would answer my call - at least for the length of this crisis. But I will not summon them in a crowded city."

Then his expression becomes wry. "Listen to me. Army, indeed! I could probably summon half a dozen of the recently slain to fight at my side; but, unless you know something I don't, I just haven't the strength to muster the kind of force you describe."

After waiting a moment to see if either of you will speak first, Thuril clears his throat and gives a respectful bow to the newcomer.

"Greetings to you, Divine Maya, You who are called the Sorceress Eternal. Please accept our sympathies for the loss of Your servants and Your temple. Yet, if we do nothing, many more lives will be lost.

"We seek the Staff given to Your Guardian. With it, there is a chance to end this invasion and restore the balance long tipped away from the Heavens."

The Goddess regards him with a raised eyebrow. "All this I know - though your courtesy is a welcome surprise, son of Kharheim. What is less clear is whether your companions are set upon restoring the Shield of the Righteous to Herself - or whether they would, as has been alleged, seek to cast down the gods themselves.

"Ah - is that a flicker of recognition, Thomas Gunn? Were you so arrogant as to believe your meetings with the one called Torc went wholly unseen? We know those who would destroy Us tried to recruit you to their cause. If you would have Me entrust the Staff to you or your companions, I must first have an answer: did they succeed?"

[dantiesilva]

"At one point in time when the Betrayer first fell when he and his servants created undead many at first didn't see the difference and thought they were the Mothers, after all the Betrayer was born and received his gifts from her, so it was easy for him to quickly ruin the reputation of those who had been brought back to protect the living. Over time however his creations and those of the Mother's did have small differences, that someone like you or I would notice. In our day and age we face a much more difficult task on our hands, and it will take no doubt centuries to do. Where the Betrayer only had to do his work a few times to ruin the reputation of the deathless, we must work three times as hard to show the people that not all undead are evil and the work of the Betrayer. At some point we need to stand up and educate the people on the differences or else they will always remain ignorant to the truth. You say the people would be just as afraid of an undead army marching through the streets as the demons, and I agree. However what will that fear turn into when those same souls go and save a family from a trapped building? Fight off lesser demons so that the living may retreat? When a building is on fire and no one else will go in to save those trapped inside but the dead freely do so to protect the lives of those still living, that is the difference between those who serve the Mother, and those who serve the Betrayer still."

Sister Rosalind says to Pran, he may not like what she had to say, or agree with it, however he needed to hear the truth for one day very soon she would not be here and she was counting on him to continue the work she had started here in New Ganther. To nurture the growing kingdom and protect it from outsiders wishing to throw it into chaos. To help those who were sick and injured and could not help themselves. To defend those needing shelter, and to promote peace and understanding. Pran had a great deal to learn, and he was still far to young to grasp many of the things she wished she could teach him, however she had to try while she still had time on this plane.

"I believe the Temple of Bones could multiply your powers in such dealings as all negative energy comes from the Mother, it would simply take you a bit of time to find her original power in the chaos of whatever other powers pollute it. The choice is yours, however know even as we speak more demons are breaching, and thus I cannot stay more then a few more moments. The choice is yours, to show the people the difference or to leave our ally alone in the darkness to fight alone because of peoples fears and misconceptions. I have not been able to teach you like I should have Pran, and given your talents versus my own I suspect eventually I would not have been able to help you much at all besides be there to listen to you. However know this, the day you first asked to serve the Lover's I saw a spark in you that could change the world. What you do with it, for good or ill has always been and will always be your choice. Free will is the most precious thing the Mother and Father give to us, but we still must at the end of the day stay true to ourselves for no one else will be there when it is time to be judged." she says kindly, letting Pran know whatever he decided she would accept but he had to make a choice here and now as her and Theo had to leave with Manny to meet the others at the temple of bones.

[esorscher]

"In order to make a choice, one must have options. I explored their offering, but found their answers to my questions insufficient. I seek to preserve the status quo, in which I have attained power and profit. The business of the gods is of interest to me only insofar as it threatens the status quo, which if you survey the island in its current state, will find it does. I seek a resolution which will have the most minimal impact on us mortals. To that end, I am here to support my friends in their goal: restoring Charis, ending the demonic invasion, and returning New Ganthar to a state where its enemies are mortal, not supernatural," Gunn answers. "Believe me or don't, it is the truth."

[Timble]

Yara was unsure how to respond to this apparition in the form of Katraya. Was this a form of ghost or spirit?
But when Thuril spoke, she realised it wasn't so. An avatar of Maya. Did she take on Katraya's form for a familiar face or was Katraya made to look like her? Something to consider later, currently it was up to Gunn to convince her but she may need to help.