Wrath of the Righteous - Worldwound Incursion [IC]

[Kish]

"I'm not an expert, but I didn't think Baphomet was so...female."

Hesper turns back toward the door.

[Diachronos]

Skerak waits at the top of the stairs for the group and returns with them.

[Kallimakus]

Dousing the holy symbols in water seems to do the trick. The initial water washing off is dirty, but over applications it gets cleaner, until it runs off the holy symbols fully clear.

Regarding the statuette, it swings it arms when Luna spoke the name of the demon lord, and does so again when Hesper does. The group heads back to Defender's Heart. Their current renown sees the sentries let them approach without the password this time.

Inside, seeing them successfully returned from another mission, even the one-armed and gruff innkeeper decides to let Luna's indecency go.
Irabeth and Anevia are not in the main hall, but one of the crusaders offers to fetch the paladin.

[Kallimakus]

The crusader returns back. "Sir Anevia will see you now." he says, looking at Luna with an expression of embarrassment. "She... umm… she said 'make sure everyone is presentable'" he adds to Luna. "Please get something to wear and follow me."

Once Luna takes care of her nudity, putting on the clothes returned by Klarah when they returned her to Defender's Heart. So satisfied, he takes you upstairs to the small meeting room that Irabeth appropriated for herself. As they near the door, they hear a cultured and familiar voice
"It seems the heroes arrive as well, though I hear fewer footsteps than last time"
Opening the door, they see Aravashinal, the elf that fell with them to the area beneath Kenabres, last left at Horgus' manor vault. The nobleman is not present in the room. Anevia is by Irabeth's side, and Emilie completes the trio group, the injuries marring her less livid than when they met her underground. They also spot the elderly mage Quednys, who offered the Rod of Cancellation for their effort.

In addition, there are four figures, cloaked and hooded, kneeling in front of Irabeth, each bearing a quiverful of arrows and a bow.

"Welcome" the half-orc paladin says. "It seems you were successful in clearing out the Topaz Solutions?"

[Frosty]

Lunalesca
HP: 31/31 | AC: 20 | Init: +2 | Fort/Ref/Wil = 7/4/9
Diplomacy/Bluff +12 | Knowledge Religion/History +9 | Knowledge Planes +11 | Perception +12 | 
Resources:  Channels 4/5, Fire Bolt 5/6, Dragon Scale 1/3
Effects: Produce Flame (2 mins)

Luna rolls her eyes as she is asked to be made "presentable." "Alright, wait here. I'll go get my outfit."

Once the cleric is clothed (relatively speaking) in her skimpy top and skirt, the group is ready. Luna looks at everyone in the room. Irabeth is looking the part of the leader for sure.

"Hi again Aravashnial, Emilie, Anevia. How are your injuries faring? And yes, one of our group has had enough of wandering the streets, and decided to stay here where it's safe. We will make do."

She gives Irabeth a respectful nod. "Well, Topaz Solutions was clear of cultists, although they did leave a plant monster there and a bottle of noxious gas as a trap for us. They also left some poisoned holy symbols in a chest, but we cleansed them with water. We left it there, however, not having any need for more holy symbols. Topaz was definitely a cultist safehouse, but no new intelligence was gained."

Lunda places the marilith toy on a table. "We also found this neat toy of a Marilith that swings its little toy sword whenever someone says the word 'Baphomet'. That's all it does."

*thwap*

[Kallimakus]

"We're getting better" Anevia says. "As much as we can get" she adds with downcast eyes.
Indeed. Neither Aravashinal's eyes nor Emilie's arm are growing back on their own, and it looks like Anevia's leg isn't going to recover fully. Emilie looks at the Marilith toy curiously. She's still a young woman, looking barely like an adult. The burns she sustained are healing, but will likely stay noticeable, and her hair is starting to grow back. Aravashinal focuses on listening intently at this point.

"A pity we could not catch them. Still, you did well to make sure no effort is wasted tomorrow" Irabeth says. "Still, in return for your efforts, I've gathered a reward for you"
She deposits a large chest on the table. Inside is a load of gold coins. About twice the amount they got from Horgus' vault.

"Tomorrow will be the day to assault the Gray Garrison. It represents the leftover strength of the cultists and their demon masters here in the city, and will be a tough nut to crack. My crusaders are going to try and draw attention to other areas of the city to thin them out." Irabeth explains.
"Furthermore, your efforts have borne other fruit."

One of the hooded figures rises and drops his hood. Luna and Hesper recognize the visage from underground, a face mixed with human and reptilian features, a horn growing from one temple, the mismatch of features continuing down the rest of his body. They helped save his friend from beneath a collapsed tower far below. His name is Lann, and he bows to you. "Again we meet, lady Hesper, lady Luna" he says, "Much our kind owes you, and intends to repay."

Irabeth nods with approval. "Lann has brought word from the mongrelman village. These four warriors will aid in the attack."

Aravashinal clears his throat. "In addition, there is a cache of equipment that I can direct you to, containing a number of useful magic items. I recommend claiming them before attempting anything too dangerous."

Spoiler: Mongrelman Scouts

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Every player will be given control over a mongrelman ranger in addition to their character. They have following statistics

DEFENSE
AC 19, touch 13, flat-footed 16 (+4 armor, +3 Dex, +2 natural)
hp 23 (3d10+7)
Fort +4, Ref +8, Will +6

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee club +6 (1d6+3)
Ranged mwk longbow +8 (1d8/x3)
Special Attacks favored enemy (humans +2)

STATISTICS
Feats: Precise Shot, Weapon Focus (bows)
Skills Climb +8, Knowledge (dungeoneering) +6, Perception +9, Sleight of Hand +9, Stealth +12, Survival +9

[NeoSeraphi]

Shauna salutes Irabeth gratefully. "Understood, ma'am. We will give this our all. We will take back the city proper. And we will find a way to destroy that wardstone...even if it costs us our lives."

She frowns, her voice heavy and serious.

[Kish]

"Where is this cache?" Hesper asks Aravashnial. "Somewhere we can reach it without risk that exceeds its value?"

[Kallimakus]

"I am happy to see such resolve" Irabeth says, her voice serious as well.

Aravashinal turns to approximately face Hesper. "The cache is in the inner city, not far from the Gray Garrison. It should impose neither risk nor delay beyond what any careful approach would"

[NeoSeraphi]

Shauna nods. "Right...now I guess Luna and I have...uh...work...to do..." she mutters awkwardly.

[Frosty]

Luna goes to Lann and returns his smile. "Lann, you and your people are brave to come up here and help us. You didn't have to, but your aid is greatly appreciated. Rest well tonight. I'll do my best to ensure that you make it out alive. And if you wish, you can also partake of the...morale boosting services that Shauna and I will be providing free of charge tonight. Everyone could use a bit of cheering up."

She looks at the items the group has collected. "Quednyes, we found a few wands and scrolls and other knick-knacks in our ventures out into the city. Might you be able to discern their powers for us? Anything could be useful for the fight ahead." She lays out the haul so far.

The cleric looks to Shauna. "Take a deep breath. It's fine. Remember, what you're doing is not prohibited by your goddess, and nor does it spread any evil. It's between consenting adults who want to let off steam and have a good time. You'll be helping everyone along with Lily and I."

[NeoSeraphi]

"D-don't advertise me as if I'm some sort of product!" Shauna protests, blushing heavily. "I'm just going to help if you two get overwhelmed."

[Frosty]

Luna puts a hand on Shauna's shoulders. "You're not a product. You're a beautiful person with lots to offer. Someone whose work could make the difference between the man holding the line tomorrow...or breaking early."

[NeoSeraphi]

"I...guess you're right," Shauna replies uncertainly. "What do we do first?"

[Frosty]

"Well, assuming there isn't anything else in this meeting...first, we go to our room to put down our stuff. Then, we're going to strip off our dirty, plant-monster soiled clothes and armor, and walk proudly to the bathing area to clean ourselves. It's harder to raise morale if you're dirty. Outside of some men with strange kinks..."

[NeoSeraphi]

"What? But...everyone will see!" she protests

[Frosty]

"Well...yes. That's the point. The troops can see with what you will raise their morale with! You are *beautiful*. Stop hiding it under clothes when you want to raise their spirits! Trust me, they will *love* it."

[NeoSeraphi]

She nods and sighs, then follows after Luna.

[Kallimakus]

Lann smiles at Luna's praise. "A joyous occasion it is that we may finally unite with the kin of our forebears" he says. "I will do the same in battles to come.

Quenyes looks at Luna, "Oh yes, I'll take a look at them" he says absentmindedly. He gathers his focus. "We must make sure that the demons don't succeed."

Lann follows after Luna and Shauna, more curious than anything, the mismatched man keeping his distance. The two women find a suitable room for their purposes. It already houses Lily, who waves at Luna and raises an eyebrow at Shauna. She fixes her eyes at Luna. "I didn't realize we were turning this duo into a threesome"
Her eyes betray her smile.

Spoiler: Identified items

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Ring of Climbing (on Luna)
+1 light wooden shield
Potion A - Potion of Invisibility
Potion B - Potion of Cure Light Wounds
Wand A - Wand of Longstrider, 10 charges
Scroll A - Scroll of Shocking Grasp (CL 3)
Scroll B - Scroll of Resist Energy (CL 3)
Spellbook worth 160gp, containing Color spray, mage armor, magic missile, detect secret doors, fog cloud, grease, invisibility, resist energy, shocking grasp, and silent image.

Trench battle
3x Scroll A' - Cause Fear
3x Scroll B' - Comprehend Languages

[Diachronos]

Skerak gets some rest until the group is ready to assault the Gray Garrison.

[NeoSeraphi]

In the morning, Shauna rises and shakes her head. She takes a shower to wipe off the shame and prays for forgiveness from Iomedae.

"We need to push on. Skerak, are you ready to go?" she asks her friend as they look outside. "...I'm not sure what's going to happen if we destroy the wardstone. Will we ever be able to close the Wound again?"

[Diachronos]

He nods and stands up. "Who can say? But whether it's possible or not, I'm ready to die trying."

[NeoSeraphi]

Shauna looks upset. "...I think I've seen enough death for a lifetime. But I guess...it's not fair for us to ask of anything more than Terendelev, is it? ...Okay. I'll be right there next to you. If we die, we die together."

[Kish]

"I don't think the wardstones ever qualified as closing the Worldwound. And it's apparent that they didn't stop the demons from attacking Armasse this year," Hesper says.

[Frosty]

Luna rises from the same bed as Shauna in the morning, and lazily puts on (what passes as) her clothes after cleaning off the copious amounts of "evidence" of last night's activities. "Oh come now, Shauna. Don't look so glum. Not only did you do a GREAT job making half the troops happy, I'm pretty positive that you enjoyed it as well. At least a little bit. I mean sure, the initial 3-some in the baths was a bit awkward at first, but by the time the orgy made it to the common room, you got into the err...swing...of things. People *really* liked you, and I think they're all disappointed you'll be clothed again for now. Lily and I are impressed."

The cleric thinks about their mission. "Well, as far as I understand, the wardstone has nothing to do with closing the worldwound. It's merely an anti-teleportation artifact that only targets demons. I doubt any conventional army could've went into the heart of the worldwound anyways. It was always going to be a teleport-capable team of powerful specialists...if it could happen at all. I think we should be more worried about what's going to happen when we destroy an artifact, even a minor one. At least I *think( it's an artifact. From the stories I've heard, some agent of Iomedae gifted it to Mendev right?"

[Kallimakus]

Things had gotten perhaps a little out of hand last night, but the participants are not complaining, which means that there really aren't many complaints at all. Lann smiles awkwardly at Luna, adjusting his clothes pointedly. He and Diamond were but a few who enjoyed her attentions that night.

As their discussion turns to the Wardstone, Irabeth approaches the group. She's clad in her armour, golden plates gleaming, her head bare. "Lady Lunalesca is correct" she says. "The purpose of the Wardstones was ever to prevent the demons from teleporting away, while we crusaders would bar a conventional exit. Something we must be more vigilant about after we overturn this disaster"

The group can see other crusaders readying themselves, plenty showing grins and friendly gestures to Luna and Shauna. They would go in first, drawing enemies from their lair as the main strike force made their approach. Diamond has chosen to throw his hat in to this effort as well, leading one of the distraction groups. They were to strike out, draw attention and withdraw before they were in too much trouble.

[NeoSeraphi]

Shauna sighs as she adjusts her helmet. "I suppose there's nothing wrong with giving the troops an extra bit of incentive in these trying times. But I think you let yourself go a bit overboard."

She salutes as Irabeth approaches. "Captain. So then what will we do, after the wardstone is destroyed? Won't the barrier allow them to start fleeing to other parts of Golarion?"

[Diachronos]

"That's assuming that destroying this one link will destroy the entire network."

[NeoSeraphi]

Shauna taps her chin. "Hmm...that's a good point. You think that the rest of them still work without this one?"

[Frosty]

Lunalesca
HP: 31/31 | AC: 23 | Init: +2 | Fort/Ref/Wil = 7/4/10
Diplomacy/Bluff +13 | Knowledge Religion/History +9 | Knowledge Planes +11 | Perception +13 | 
Resources:  Channels 5/5, Fire Bolt 6/6, Dragon Scale 3/3
Effects: 

Luna giggles as she reflects on the previous night's activities. "It's only overboard if you don't enjoy it. I had a lot of fun, and so did everyone else. I just hope the armorer finishes my request quickly..."

It is at this time that the armorer walks in, carrying a suit of armor. IT is rather...less covring...than most armor, but those with magical senses can sense its enhancements. "Thank you! I owe you one!" The cleric gives him a kiss.

The armorer smiles in return and grabs her ass. "Naw, lass. After last night, I owe YOU, haha."

Luna starts putting on the armor, which is a kind of a breastplate, with the emphasis on breast.

Spoiler: Outfit

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"What do you think? Put on the loincloth or leave it off? Either way, I'm just about ready."