Pax Viginti Team 1 IC [5E]

[Ninja Dragon]

Jeevok uses the opportunity to quickly move towards the nearest ghost. He slashes him 3 times with his blade. Somehow, the ghost is still moving. He wasn't expecting them to be that bulky.

[TriciaOso]

Vatrick looks at you both with imperious fury and shouts, "BOW!"

Both of you feel your knees weaken as you are forced to bow before the Lord of the Manor. The ghost huddle around you, brushing you with their cold, dead hands. You can feel your life force leaving you and replenishing them with every touch. The younger two manage to land two attacks.

One of them hangs back and fires a beam at Temaias, twice, missing both times. Vatrick, who was adjacent to you, vanishes and reappears across the room.

[Nyan]

Temaias Dragonborn Paladin/Sorcerer AC: 19 HP: 92/92 INIT: -1 Passive Peception: 15 Passive Investigation: 9 Passive Insight: 11 Conditions: Can reroll one str-based attack/skill once this day. Water breathing Continual Flame Current Initiative: - Concentration: Spirit Guardians

Temaias felt himself kneeling at the command at the ghost. To him an unforgivable act and would respond with a righteous fury beyond anything he had felt before. "I WILL NEVER KNEEL TO THE FORCES OF EVIL!" He would roar as he became released from the magic and stood up. With a flare of light the shapes of blue, translucent dragons came in to being, roaring with Temaias in unison. "HIS REIGHTEOUS FURY SHALL BE DONE!" Temaias would then suddenly blink out of the air only to appear in another flash of light behind the ghost surrounding them. "BEGONE FOUL SPIRITS!" And while the dragons whirled around the room, biting, tearing, and blowing radiant fire at the ghosts Temaias would swing his mightly blade two times at the ghost infront of him, the flames of purity cascading off with every swing to dose the ghost behind it.

[Ninja Dragon]

The goblin kneels as the ghost commands. A rare stance of him kneeling to a figure of authority. Especially of one of those dominating races.

"You... are going... to pay for this" - he mutters.

The ghosts unleash a barrage of attacks, but Jeevok's strong body withstands almost all of them. One of them hits, though. But as the next one comes, he finally manages to move and blocks it with a quick movement of the Sun Blade.

Payback time. With one more hit, he finishes off the first ghost he was originally attacking, the old man. Quickly, he moves to the next one, the young girl, hitting her twice. On the second hit, he moves the sword in a way to make the attack seems a lot stronger than it actually is. A trick he learned during his years of revolution. Somehow, it seems to work.

[TriciaOso]

With a long, resonant howl, Xames explodes, unleashing a wave of necrotic energy. But you are still standing when it passes, and you see his fragmented soul wailing as it is dragged beneath the earth.

His image returns to the portrait.

Frances and Kristen, the younger spirits, both slash at Temaias. Frances, who is looking ragged and desperate, manages to claw back some vitality from the dragonborn, but Kristen, still terrified of Jeevok, fails to penetrate his armor. Eartha fires another ray at Temaias, but just can't seem to land it. Vatrick, lurking in the back, raises his hands, and silver ravenous skulls begin to weave between Temaias's dragons, snarling and snapping at the adventurers even as the paladin's spirit guardians shred the ghosts.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

You each take 5 damage, then Temaias takes another 18.

Each of you at the start of you turn take 24 damage from Vatrick's Spirit Guardians, or 12 on a successful Wisdom save (DC 16).

[Nyan]

Temaias Dragonborn Paladin/Sorcerer AC: 19 HP: 52/92 INIT: -1 Passive Peception: 15 Passive Investigation: 9 Passive Insight: 11 Conditions: Can reroll one str-based attack/skill once this day. Water breathing Continual Flame Current Initiative: - Concentration: Spirit Guardians

Temaias roars in defiance as the skulls summoned by the spirits bite at him, the ghosts claw at his life-force and the rays coming his way. "Your foul incantations will not win this day!" He cries as every attack, spell and energy bounce of his holy armor but none the less he feels his spirit grow weaker with every claw of the spirits. But his fury is undaunted as he continues his swings with the blessed blade. Cloaking it once more in holy fire which cascades of the blade to the second ghost after it is swung at the other. "No ghost or fiend shall escape the fires of vengeance!" After his swing the weaker of the two ghosts gets promptly torn to shreds and its essence scattered to the ether by the radiant, spirit dragons hovering around Temaias.

[Ninja Dragon]

Jeevok easily dodges the ghost who is now afraid of him. He sees as Temaias has a harder time dodging his, though.

So he decides to take action now. The dragonborn is not going to get badly hurt again on his watch. He goes on a frenzy of attack, and slashes the ghost attacking Temaias in one hit.

He then makes a quick movement, the kind only a goblin could make, and slips onto the next ghost, the jerk who made him kneel. He doesn't say anything, a sword can say a lot more than words. And four times it tells the ghost to **** off to hell where it should have gone to a long time ago.

Finally, with some energy left, he moved to what seems to be the ghost's wife, slashing her once.

[TriciaOso]

Eartha puts up her hands as she sees you obliterate her family. "I - I can tell you about the ritual!" she shrieks. Her sour milk face has completely curdled.
"I have no ambitions that way. The ghost of the witch, in the ruined house... Every town needs a legend. I can be helpful!"

Temaias shakes his head. "You are right. Every town does need a legend...Yours will be a legend of warning to all those who tread your evil path, paved by the lives of the innocent!" He raises his sword. "And a Legend of hope for all the good, future heroes of this world! That in the end good prevails!" Unless Jeevok takes any chance to speak with the ghost. Temaias will not hesitate in sending it to the next life.

Jeevok raises his hand and points his thumb down.

It takes no time at all to put down the final ghost. "You will never survive," she sneers as you kill her. "The priessss...."

With the Stuarts sent to the afterlife, the illusion on the room fades. The only incongruous things are the 5 portraits lining the walls. The burnt walls open to a clouded sky, and and the fire in the fireplace gone as if it never existed.

---

The two coffins still lie in the doorway to the ruined dining room. You open them carefully--one at a time, with someone standing by. You stake them without trouble. Malena, the goblin spellcaster, and Talbot, the halfling vampire you had never seen, who started all this. He doesn't look that impressive, honestly.

They try to resist, but you are prepared for them, and you destroy them without incident.

---

You discuss briefly--very briefly--whether to leave now or descend to the crypt. Temaias is walking away before the question is fully asked. The passage through the fireplace into the crypts below the house is not obvious, but without vampires or ghosts breathing down your necks, you are able to figure it out eventually.

The staircase spiraling down into the crypts is stone, and cold, and very, very old. As you descend you realize this much be far older than the House, and when you reach the actual crypts, they are much too big for one family.

The catacombs sprawl out from a central point in six directions, the walls lined with niches and the floor rough with rune-scribed grave plaques. This central space is large and flat.

In the center you see torrent of purple energy, spiraling; mist pours out of it. As a result you can't see far in any direction. The energy isn't going anywhere, revolving like a tornado, trying to resolve into a portal. Temaias, it looks familiar to you from your vision. Faint strands of energy extend in six directions through the mist, into the catacombs.

You can make out dim shapes moving behind the wall of energy, but no details.

Temaias, despite everything everyone would expect about you, you are knowledgeable about religious ritual. You suspect you will not be able to penetrate the purple energy without disabling the power sources at the end of the six beams of energy extending out of it. The actual ritual to open and direct the portal is going on within the wall of energy. You know such a ritual probably draws on the life force of at least one living being--usually not the caster.

[Nyan]

Temaias Dragonborn Paladin/Sorcerer AC: 19 HP: 52/92 INIT: -1 Passive Peception: 15 Passive Investigation: 9 Passive Insight: 11 Conditions: Can reroll one str-based attack/skill once this day. Water breathing Continual Flame Current Initiative: - Concentration: -

As they entered the crypt Temaias was appalled by what he saw. And in a suprising amount of clarity from the otherwise ill learned dragonborn he knew exactly what needed to be done...Cause he had seen similar rituals before. "The portal is being formed within this barrier. A life is being sacrificed in there for that purpose, at the end of each of these tunnels there is a power source shaping the barrier. Possibly by more sacrifices. We must disrupt them all quickly if we are to save their lives!" Temaias then starts to run down the nearest hallway. "You take another one! Let me know what you find at the end!"

[Ninja Dragon]

Jeevok follows his friend's instructions, moving to the next pillar after the one he went to.

[TriciaOso]

Temaias, you delve into a tunnel, through twists and turns, gradually descending. As you come into a wider space, a larger and more significant tomb, you can see a glowing eerie light ahead in the mist.

The glow resolves to a floating skull in the middle of a ritual circle, fire surrounding it, the light pulsing out of its body. You can see strange tiny black silhouettes burned into the bone, pulsing in time with the magic.

When you enter the room it screeches and vomits fire from its gaping jaws. An unholy fireball explodes around you, dealing 15 necrotic damage.

---

Jeevok, your path is straighter, and steeper, taking you deep, deep into the earth. The walls close in around you, skulls heaped in the niches. Eerie whispers and moans come from all around you as you plunge deeper.

At the end of the path is a small dark chamber. There is a creature in it, and at first it seems enormous because you're getting used to seeing Small beings everywhere. It's merely very tall for a Medium creature. It's hard to make out anything else about it, as it seems to be almost a living necrotic shadow. All over its body are glowing silhouettes, pulsing in time with the magic circle around it. You find it terrifying beyond reason, and your sword trembles in your hand.

It fires two bolts of energy at you; one is deflected by your new shield, but the other lands squarely and does 19 necrotic damage. The figure touches one of its glowing tattoos, and a second shadow unfurls itself. It's a goblinoid shape, solid black like a living shadow, but it looks very much like Malena, the vampire spellcaster. The shadow glides forward and paws at you, but is unable to do harm.

[Ninja Dragon]

Jeevok doesn't know why he is so afraid, but he knows better than staying in combat with an enemy he cannot attack. He runs and tries to hide behind a tomb, drinking a potion in the meantine.

////////

Jeevok touches his sending stone and sends a message to Temaias
"Found enemy priest. Seems very powerful. Summoned shadow of vampire. Don't think I can handle alone. I'm hidden. What's your situation? Can you come?"

He drinks another potion.

[TriciaOso]

Jeevok, as you lurk behind the tomb, you see the shade of Malena searching for you fruitlessly. Beyond her, the taller shadowy creature continues casting its spell, but pauses to conjure another shade. Now Boris's soul joins Malena in scouring the graves for you.

[Nyan]

Temaias Dragonborn Paladin/Sorcerer AC: 19 HP: 48/92 INIT: -1 Passive Peception: 15 Passive Investigation: 9 Passive Insight: 11 Conditions: Can reroll one str-based attack/skill once this day. Water breathing Continual Flame Current Initiative: - Concentration: -

As Temaias barrels down the hall he does not even halt his stride facing the flaming skull, casting the flames asside with his hand like a giant wing he will step up to the creature and with one mighty swing destroy it. He then hears the message from Jeevok and after making sure the line of energy on his side has been cut, assuming it has. He will take the two bottles of healing he has remaining, chug them both as he replies to Jeevok. But he only makes it about 50ft back from where he came. He fill as he passes the central barrier coat himself in an armor of frost once more before he runs to Jeevoks aid.

Spoiler: ACTIONS

Show

move up 10ft then attack, bonus action to then chug a potion, move 20ft back with the rest of his movment. Then after reply as his action, bonus to chug the last potion. Move 30ft more.

[TriciaOso]

The energy of the spell fails, as the cracked skull rolls away. The tendril of energy back to the central chamber snaps.

Temaias, as you return to the central room, you notice that the barrier of energy around the center has weakened. You can see the figure in the center, and the shape it is bent over, better now. You don't stay to watch, though, diving down the other tunnel after Jeevok.

In this chamber, a tall, grim spectre with shapes in shining light all over its form, is conjuring the same magical barrier magic as the skull. The two Small shades of Malena and Boris are searching the niches for Jeevok, unsuccessfully. The taller shadow raises a hand and fires a bolt of necrotic energy; the first blast misses, but the second hits its target full in the face, blasting away his icy armor.


Jeevok, you see Temaias dash into the room and get blindsided by a necrotic blast... and then hot on his heels, another Temaias, who shouts, "Imposter!"

[Ninja Dragon]

"That was ten words too short for Temaias" - he thinks.

But the sight of his friend being damaged snaps the goblin out of his fear. He gets up, dodges the shadows who try to attack him and attacks the priest.

The first hit connects. The second one misses. Then the goblin remembers the last time he fought a medium sized creature, which was actually years ago. He had a life of experience at doing that, and had mastered the art to perfection. He aims his sword so that the third hit goes right between the enemy's legs, where it hurts the most.

The priest goes down.

[Nyan]

Temaias Dragonborn Paladin/Sorcerer AC: 19 HP: 41/92 INIT: -1 Passive Peception: 15 Passive Investigation: 9 Passive Insight: 11 Conditions: Can reroll one str-based attack/skill once this day. Water breathing Continual Flame Current Initiative: - Concentration: -

Temaias charges in only to have the shade destroyed by Jeevoks attack. "You should be more confident in yourself! Your skill is far more than you realize!" Temaias grins towards his goblin friend. But then he slowly turns to face the false copy behind him. "I pray you are no illusion!" He laughs as he readies his blade. "For I always strive to best myself at every turn!" He then charges forward and attacks his would be twin. His blade cracks with the sound of thunder as he slashes the clone in half. He looks back over his shoulder simply carrying on towards the barrier, slightly disappointed even at the weakness of the illusion. "I think we can smash the barrier now! Lets hurry!"

[TriciaOso]

As the priest goes down, the shades melt back into glowing silhouettes on its body.

The fake Temaias softens and melts away into a pile of slime. The only solid thing within it is a skull, and not a reptilian skull you might expect--the same cracked skull from the other tunnel. It is scrimshawed, engraved with magical runes. The central rune on its forehead seems to be damaged by the booming energy, but not destroyed.

[Ninja Dragon]

"I'm sorry, there was something about that priest that made me deadly afraid for a while. I think it was some kind of magic. But I snapped out of it"

The goblin follows him.

"Let's destroy this cursed place at last"

[TriciaOso]

You return to the central room. The barrier in the middle is definitely reduced. You can make out a small, gnomish shape within the circle, completing a ritual on a bound individual. A broomstick leans against a grave behind him.

Jeevok pauses for a moment, trying to observe the figure, and realizes---it's Sardis, the priest from the Temple of the Sky, who met you here. And the other gnome, bound in the ritual circle; it must be Raven, who was last seen going to check in with Sardis and never returned.

Then Temaias seizes your hand and you leap through the barrier together.

It hurts, because you only destroyed two of the contributing rituals. But luck is with you, and it hurts much less than you might have expected. And maybe it's for the best, because as you plunge through, you can see other priests of Osybus beginning to gather around the barrier from the tunnels, drawn by your battles or perhaps by the conclusion of the ritual.

Raven looks awful; not bleeding, but visibly drained, his sky dry and cracked. Temaias, your arcane senses tell you that every spell he had has been drained out of him and its power added to this ritual, and now his life force is being taken the same way. "I'm so sorry," Sardis is murmuring to him.

He looks up when you enter, and his ancient gnome face is creased with sorrow. "And to you two. I'm so sorry. You look so badly hurt. Don't be afraid." He raises his hands, and he casts Heal on both of you.

On the ground, in the center of the room, stands a portal. Mists rise from it and spread through the room. You can see the priests pressing against the barrier, and one by one they are absorbed, and vanished, and their energies channeled into the portal until the barrier is gone.

"Ravenloft... Ravenloft is supposed to be a punishment, a prison for those Lords of Dread who have been trapped there, beyond the mist. But I've seen it, my brother and me, and it's not their prison. It's their playground. Trapped within their Domains, yes, but each of them practically a god within it."

"I am going to... I have been empowered to... chosen to... destroy it. Not just one Domain, but all of them. But--" And here he does look pained. "The only way to do that is not to enter into any one Domain. I must be the vessel to bring the Sky's Wrath to the whole of Ravenloft, and to do that it must open its jaws. It will open its jaws to swallow Donegal--it has opened its jaws--" He gestures at the portal.

"And it will choke on it. On us," he says hopefully. "Come with me. Your power, added to the power vouchsafed to me... we could right a great wrong. Not just for this world but for every world touched by the plague of the Demiplane of Dread. Come with me."

[Ninja Dragon]

Jeevok feels a bunch of holy energy entering his body, and hearing all his injuries. That is really confusing, considering the man in front of him is trying to sacrifice his friend.

He then hears his story, and his motivations make more sense. Sardis believes he is doing the right thing. A man with a cause. And his cause is not even an evil one.

But as he and Temaias debate, something feels wrong. It's not just the sacrifice of innocent people. Something else. Something that goes against what defines Jeevok's very core.

As Sardis continues his story, Jeevok realizes what it is.

What kind of strategy is that?

Where are they going to, exactly? Who is the enemy? What is the goal of the mission? Do they have a map? Do they have a base? Where do they retreat to if it fails? Who is the leader?

Who is the leader? Sardis? This man they just met, who believes he was chosen by some god to deal divine retribution against an entire plan of existance? And the god, can that deity be trusted?

They are going in, trusting nothing but the power of a god whose motivations aren't exactly known. The plan has to succeed in the first try - the sacrifices involved demand it. The risks are insane, and unknown, it's all or nothing. A suicidal mission. Led by someone they can't trust, who would sacrifice him, Temaias, and anyone else in a heartbeat. Heck, who is to say it will stop when their enemies fall? What if Sardis gets drunk with power, and ends up becoming like the lords of Ravenloft themselves? That's a scenario they have to account for, what if he is already possessed by something?

"No. This is a terrible plan. You want me to sacrifice Raven, one of my group, as well as everyone who is counting on us. But we are not fighting for our people, then who are we fighting for?"

He looks at Sardis's eyes.

"You want to sacrifice everyone you know. To get revenge for your brother. You have nothing tying you to life. I don't trust a man who has nothing to protect. I trust your god even less. And I definitely don't trust your plan. You want to fight Ravenloft? Fine, but we do it through the Pax, we negotiate with them, and we find a way that doesn't involve countless sacrifices.

Raven is coming home. Alive. My people come home alive after the mission, or we don't do the mission. And since you were kind enough to heal us, I'm giving you one chance to surrender and leave this place, never to return."

He points his Sun Blade at his neck.

"Right, Temaias?"

[Nyan]

Temaias pushes on the phrase when he notices Sardis' expression twist with guilt. "Yes Sardis. Sacrifices, people who have no part to play or even knowledge of what they are about to be thrust in to. Or the danger that their lives will be placed in." Temaias points to the portal. "In there might be wicked creatures. And by all rights so they deserve true judgement rather than imprisonment. But not like this what worth is their punishment if equal attrocities are made to do so? Is that justice? Does that tip the scales to the side of good and law? Sardis...would your brother accept that?" He pleads to Sardis. Not the entity within him. "It is not your deity that makes the choice Sardis...It only acts through you. You hold the power here. Do not let your own morals be shrouded with greif. Please." Temaias hopes the gnome can muster the will to resist. But he also then adresses the entity within him.

Temaias clutches his holy symbol and his eyes as well flare. His voice booming with a regal, dragonic power. "And you! Sky, deity of the celestial bodies...Of farmers and astronomy! If it is truly you who has shepherded this man to do your bidding. The domain of law and judgements is not yours! This act will cause untold unbalance and potential risk to innocent lives! Dont you see the folly of this act!? Punishment might be done by your hand yes but untold numbers will be caused equal suffering worthy of punishment! And I as Exarch of the justicemaker, Herald of the God dragon of law deem this as going too far! Please reconsider! Understand word of your actions could reach as far as mt. Celestina. Petition them for judgement ontoward the realm of ravenloft! Leave it in the hands of those deities of law, order and justice!" Temaias channeled every ounce of his deitys mythological powers of persuation as he could. Bahamut prefering to solve things with words rather than swords.

[TriciaOso]

"Sacrifices..." Sardis says, and he looks truly troubled. But then his expression hardens, and a different light comes into his eyes; a different ring in his voice. "All the sacrifices will be worth it, when we are victorious. A mortal life cannot be weighed against the chance to shake the foundations of the planes and undo a great injustice."
"No number of mortal lives can be weighed against the chance to bring justice to so many immortal wicked powers."

His voice, expression, shift back. "I prayed, night after night, for intervention. For justice for my brother."

"And I answered." The voice seems to come from deep inside his tiny chest, and shake the very walls of the catacombs. Light moves under his skin.

"Weak. Weak. All of you are weak. The so-called gods of justice! The god of stars and sky! To send me away! To banish me, not for any failure, but for loving justice too well! If all of you betray me, I will do it alone!"

Sardis's eyes are terrified, but his body is certain as it turns and leaps into the portal.

You stoop to check on Raven and free him from the bindings and the devices crafted to drain his magic into the portal. He needs to go back to the Instant Fortress and rest. You promise him you'll follow soon, as soon as you shut down this portal or at least, make sure it dies on its own. He gives you some direction for this, then picks up his broom.

The portal is almost gone; fading away.


And then, from beyond it, you hear a long, ululating scream. And behind it, laughter, sinister but genuine.

And words. Not a voice, but a words you feel in your bones, words made out of every nightmare.

What a pathetic challenge.

Yet all challenges must be answered. And that firmly. Show them our displeasure, pet.

And as you brace yourselves, something huge and dark bursts from the last dregs of the portal, and a Nightwalker unfolds to its full height before you and roars.

[Ninja Dragon]

"Sardis, what the hell did you just mess with?"

Realizing the thing is still getting up, Jeevok doesn't waste time, attacking it while it is occupied. He quickly lands 3 hits on it. Then, as the creature (hopefully) flinches from the blows, he will aim his new magical shield at it and focus its power, channeling all the accumulated hatred for the undead that is contained in into the enemy.

"TEMAIAS, NOW!"

[Nyan]

Temaias Dragonborn Paladin/Sorcerer AC: 19 HP: 92/92 INIT: -1 Passive Peception: 15 Passive Investigation: 9 Passive Insight: 11 Conditions: Water breathing Continual Flame Current Initiative: - Concentration: -

"SARDIS NO!..." Temaias cries out as the cleric leaps in to the portal. Temaias reaches for him but to no avail. He curses under his breath and clenches his fist. But he has no time to mourn as he quickly goes to check on Raven. "Raven of rune attic! Are you okay!?" He listens to the Gnomes instructions and nods before they send him off on his broom. But it is then the scream from the portal echoes out...And worse the voice trembles throuout his very soul. Temaias stiffens as he slowly turns towards the portal and watches the nightmarish horror start to crawl out. Temaias' teeth clench, his grip around his sword tightens, his blood boils as every fiber of his being cries out for this thing to be destroyed. When Jeevok goes to attack the beast as it comes out of the portal, slashing with expert grace and skill before finaly using his newfound shields power, channeling the hatred of the undead towards the creature. Which only fules Temaias' wrath as well. The

Temaias' body becomes surrounded with a blue light, lightning errupting from his sword. His eyes glow and the energy shapes itself in to the dragonic form of his deity, standing behind Temaias. Its maw opens and from it booms a voice of divine power. And Temaias in turn replies.

What is your craft?
"My craft is death!"

What is your pledge?
"My pledge is Vengance!"

The dragon form then gets absorbed in to the blade as Temaias then steps forward. His voice now echoing with his own and that of his deity.

"WHEN DARKNESS REARS ITS UGLY HEAD, OURS IS THE BLADE THAT DESCENDS!"

And with a roar he swings his blade channeling every ounce of divine strenght he could muster. When his blade connected it explodes with holy light searing the being with the power of his god anathema to its very being.

[TriciaOso]

The Nightwalker reels, hurt in a devastating way. It has never taken this kind of harm in all its eons of service to the Dark Powers. It knows it is very close to being destroyed.

But it is a servant of the Dark Powers to its very core, and it continues its mission. Its aura of malignant fear and evil insinuates itself into the very bodies of its enemies, causing muscles to burn and bones to ache. It focuses on the dragonborn who did it such terrible damage, and inflicts more injury on him, cutting his life force short. Then extending one long, sharp finger, it inflicts the worst of its terror and pain on him.

But when he is finished, Temaias is still standing. And despite all its power and the harm it has done, the dragonborn is still not afraid.

it knows it has no time left as the tiny green creature with the glowing blade steps forward, unbowed by its aura.

[Ninja Dragon]

The light blinds Jeevok. For all he had told the dragonborn off early for his recklessness, he is so relieved that this guy is on his side. That's a lot more than he was expecting to get, even with the shield's power.

As the light vanishes, he then watches as the monster unleashes its fury on Temaias, damaging him pretty hard. But Jeevok is not scared. He has seen this kind of body language before, this type of rage. That's not how a conqueror moves. Those are the movements of a scared animal, who knows they are being hunted.

He looks at his sword, and has a flash from the first time he saw that blade. An elf prince was leading the division that had been sent to crush his revolution, when it was starting to grow too strong. The elf held the Sun Blade on his hand, smiling with arrogance for the toy he had, which was given to him by his family. Jeevok then challenged him to a duel. The elf laughed, thinking there was no way he was going to lose with that weapon.

But while a good weapon makes a difference, actual skill is what makes a warrior. A few minutes after the duel started, the elf was moving the same way the monster is moving now, knowing he was about to be killed. Jeevok wonders if the elf is now watching him from the afterlife, as the goblin uses the Sun Blade better than he ever did.

He slashes the monster three times. Although he is small and the blows hit low, they cut deep, and they hit his artieries, dealing fatal damage. He watches as the monster falls.

This was a long day.

[Nyan]

Temaias crumbles to one knee as soon as the beast lets out its final howl. Jeevok destroying its essence entirely through his sun blade. He breathes heavily as that last strike and subsequent retaliation did quite a number on him. Yet again his body wracked with the necrotic energies stealing his very life away. Temaias clasps his holy symbol once more and lowers his head in prayer. "Forgive me Sardis...By all those that rule above...Please let his soul find peace." Temaias was not honestly sure what would become of the cleric in the next life...If anything at all. The thought troubled him greatly even tho they had just won. But eventually he stood up, placed a hand on his chest and cured a small fraction of his wounds. "...Jeevok." He said after while of simply staring out in to thin air. "I am not able to even explain to you how grateful I am." He then walks up to the goblin and holds out his hand. "Though we may have just met. You have truly become a brother in arms to me. I am glad I was right about you." He then closes his eyes and seem to think back. "Long ago...I had brothers, fellow exarchs just like myself...I see a lot of them in you and there are not many individuals in this universe I could say so to." He then smiles and opens his eyes, beaming at his companion. "Before us no manner of challenge, trial or quest will be impossible. Consider me your eternal ally in whatever troubles you might find yourself in from this day forth. Thank you."

With that he would start to move out of the cellar. "Now there is a lot for me to do still...If you wish to return to the Pax immediately I understand but I'd like to do a few things in this world first. But I would also appreciate your help should you choose to do so."

Temaias would then swiftly get to work on dismanteling any foul artifacs, runes, circles, statues, brands, symbols on the site of the mansion and the crypts. He checks with his divine sense for any further corruption and tears down whatever is left of the mansion. Once the site is clear he would set up put a single large stone, at least to the people of this world. And carves a symbol of bahamut upon it, he will subsequently bless the entire area with the might of his god. No longer will shadows take root on this place.

After her would carefully move back down to the village. As he goes he would aproach those who he sees have lost loved ones without having them being tunred to monsters. And would through the use of his divine gift, should they be willing, revive them from their state of death. He does this to two individuals before he makes it back to the temple and contacts the Pax.

The possible return of fallen heroes.

The first thing before even returning to the village that Temaias would do is to gather the bodies of the fallen members of the Worldbeaters. And then he would contact the Pax, specifically Myrddin. "It is I, King Temaias. Our task here is done and the threat has been dealt with...However there has been some unforeseen circumstances of which I will explain. But I would first like to make a couple of requests in the interest of this world and the Pax. I understand you wish to keep our involvement in the worlds matters from the view of as many as possible. And so my first request is that these heroes that fell before us could be brought back, should their spirits be willing. In doing this they could be heralded as the saviors of this town and leave our involvement as mere aides to their victory. They are of this world and so this would turn them in the symbols of hope that this world will need to resist further evils that could plague their lands once more. Rather than some unknown saviors this world would never hear from or see again. Please consider this request. I am regretfully not able to do this myself with the current powers invested in me. And so you are these brave souls only hope." Temaias pauses.

"The second request regards Sardis...I have to regretfully inform that he too lost his life. He had prayed for retribution against the realm of Ravenloft and subsequently been swayed, deceived and manipulated by an entity who sought to open a portal to Ravenlofts domain in order to enter and subsequently destroy it. We managed to stop this ritual but we were unable to stop this entity from sacrificing Sardis' life in its gambit...I believe that in the very end Sardis regretted his actions but was unable to stop the entity from controlling him which cost him his life. My request then...Is not to bring him back but Is to at least make sure that Sardis' soul could be saved...And returned to its rightful place in the celestial heavens, to join his long lost brother. Although his madness caused him risk of the lives of these villagers he does not deserve such a fate. And if there is a debt to this request I will personally repay it if I must. Please."

[Ninja Dragon]

Jeevok feels flattered by Temaias's long praises, and thanks him for his help too.

"It was a pleasure to work with you too. I hope I have an opportunity to do that again".

He is a bit overwhelmed by all the requests the dragonborn is making to the Pax, and very doubtful a guy like Myrddin will accept them. But he is curious of whether that will work or not, and doesn't have anything better to do, so he decides to stay with Temaias for the time being, and help him argue with the Pax if necessary.

If the Pax takes a while to reply, he will explore the town. Spend some time in the bar, chat with some people, go to the library if there is one and check out what kind of things people read. Mostly learn what the lives of goblins are like in this world, and the lives of other races in general, compared to his world.

[TriciaOso]

Temaias crumbles to one knee as soon as the beast lets out its final howl. Jeevok destroying its essence entirely through his sun blade. He breathes heavily as that last strike and subsequent retaliation did quite a number on him. Yet again his body wracked with the necrotic energies stealing his very life away. Temaias clasps his holy symbol once more and lowers his head in prayer. "Forgive me Sardis...By all those that rule above...Please let his soul find peace." Temaias was not honestly sure what would become of the cleric in the next life...If anything at all. The thought troubled him greatly even tho they had just won. But eventually he stood up, placed a hand on his chest and cured a small fraction of his wounds. "...Jeevok." He said after while of simply staring out in to thin air. "I am not able to even explain to you how grateful I am." He then walks up to the goblin and holds out his hand. "Though we may have just met. You have truly become a brother in arms to me. I am glad I was right about you." He then closes his eyes and seem to think back. "Long ago...I had brothers, fellow exarchs just like myself...I see a lot of them in you and there are not many individuals in this universe I could say so to." He then smiles and opens his eyes, beaming at his companion. "Before us no manner of challenge, trial or quest will be impossible. Consider me your eternal ally in whatever troubles you might find yourself in from this day forth. Thank you."

With that he would start to move out of the cellar. "Now there is a lot for me to do still...If you wish to return to the Pax immediately I understand but I'd like to do a few things in this world first. But I would also appreciate your help should you choose to do so."

Temaias would then swiftly get to work on dismanteling any foul artifacs, runes, circles, statues, brands, symbols on the site of the mansion and the crypts. He checks with his divine sense for any further corruption and tears down whatever is left of the mansion. Once the site is clear he would set up put a single large stone, at least to the people of this world. And carves a symbol of bahamut upon it, he will subsequently bless the entire area with the might of his god. No longer will shadows take root on this place.

After her would carefully move back down to the village. As he goes he would aproach those who he sees have lost loved ones without having them being tunred to monsters. And would through the use of his divine gift, should they be willing, revive them from their state of death. He does this to two individuals before he makes it back to the temple and contacts the Pax.

The possible return of fallen heroes.

The first thing before even returning to the village that Temaias would do is to gather the bodies of the fallen members of the Worldbeaters. And then he would contact the Pax, specifically Myrddin. "It is I, King Temaias. Our task here is done and the threat has been dealt with...However there has been some unforeseen circumstances of which I will explain. But I would first like to make a couple of requests in the interest of this world and the Pax. I understand you wish to keep our involvement in the worlds matters from the view of as many as possible. And so my first request is that these heroes that fell before us could be brought back, should their spirits be willing. In doing this they could be heralded as the saviors of this town and leave our involvement as mere aides to their victory. They are of this world and so this would turn them in the symbols of hope that this world will need to resist further evils that could plague their lands once more. Rather than some unknown saviors this world would never hear from or see again. Please consider this request. I am regretfully not able to do this myself with the current powers invested in me. And so you are these brave souls only hope." Temaias pauses.

"The second request regards Sardis...I have to regretfully inform that he too lost his life. He had prayed for retribution against the realm of Ravenloft and subsequently been swayed, deceived and manipulated by an entity who sought to open a portal to Ravenlofts domain in order to enter and subsequently destroy it. We managed to stop this ritual but we were unable to stop this entity from sacrificing Sardis' life in its gambit...I believe that in the very end Sardis regretted his actions but was unable to stop the entity from controlling him which cost him his life. My request then...Is not to bring him back but Is to at least make sure that Sardis' soul could be saved...And returned to its rightful place in the celestial heavens, to join his long lost brother. Although his madness caused him risk of the lives of these villagers he does not deserve such a fate. And if there is a debt to this request I will personally repay it if I must. Please."

You do a sweep of the crypts and the burned out house. You clean things up and disarm any remaining traps, with Samara's assistance. You find a large amount of gold secreted in Talbot's rooms, and a magical sword in Boris's. You find the shattered globe from the library, gathering the precious gems from the exterior, and secured inside it, you find a book. Despite the enchantments on your pins, you cannot read it.

As you work, you notice that your pins have changed from silver to gold.

Jeevok, while Temaias is setting up a holy place to Bahamut on the grounds of the destroyed house, you head into town for a well-deserved rest and a drink. People are friendly, although understandably a bit leery of strangers. A forthright farmer asks you if you have anything to do with "them at the big house", perhaps connecting your green skin to Malena's.

Overall people treat you with cautious respect. You're clearly dangerous. There is some mistrust and distance, but more akin to the cautious fear you see extended toward orcs than the obvious disgust some people show towards goblins. After all, you're all Small here. The beer is very good.

Temaias, when you come down into town, people are terrified of you, but with Samara as go-between you are able to get permission to see their dead. These are people who died without being turned, killed in the defense of the town. You use your dwindling spell slots and the diamonds from the globe to raise them.

You are easily about to find, within the Temple of the Sky, Sardis' teleportation circle that connected him to the City of Light. In the same room, with a little rummaging, you are able to find a crystal ball that allows you to speak with the Adventurer Corps.

As you lay out your plans to Myrddin, he nods at first, then turns a little grimmer.

"Yes, the World Beaters will be more important than ever now that Sardis and Talbot and his group are dead. There aren't many powerful individuals on that world, comparably. Fortunately, restoring them was part of our original authorization. I have the scrolls here. I'd hoped you'd be able to do it, but the party being turned was always a strong possibility."

"Bring the rogue and the bodies back with you. We'll connect them with one of our mentors who manages pre-induction adventuring parties once they become aware of the Pax."

"As for Sardis--" His expression is grim. "The disposition of his soul is a matter outside the Material Plane of Cadtu, so it's fair game. But the Corps will not pay for it. If you can find someone to cast Wish and pay them out of whatever thaum you've accumulated, I can't stop you."

"Head back now. Good work."