Session 19: Of Forgiveness and Looting
General Summary
As the friends plunge into the darkness from Phineas' betrayal, Twig quickly using his catlike reflexes manages to land unscathed on his feet while Astraea glides down uses her wings. Rourke and Faen both land face first and lie on the ground groaning while the others manage to land more safely with only minor injuries. Looking around they see they are in a cold dark room and there is a sound of creaking metal. Twig stealthy hides in one of the alcoves lining the room while checking his new found raven, Crackers, is ok.
Both Triss and Crackers fly to different armours and spend most of the fight trying to distract them and interfere on the group's behalf. Valanthe misses with her attack and as she panics and runs, the armour hits her. Twig, who is still hidden, seeing this unfold looses a bolt from his crossbow hitting one of the suits while Astraea shoots two scorching Rays at them noticing that she's having to put in more energy than normal to get the same effect. Rourke fires his revolvers again while Faen casts chromatic orb and the armour hits Elanil and knocks her unconscious from behind. Hanurak wails on the armour nearest him with his sword smashing it to ruin while Valanthe heals Faen with her words just before another suit of armour smashes into the wizard. Crackers getting a little confused flies straight into one of the suits and with a squawk flies groggily away leaving its imprint on the breastplate.
Twig being concerned for his Raven fires a bolt again while Astraea fires two more rays and Rourke misses with his bullets. Faen decides he's had enough of being a pin cushion so he misty steps away and shoots acid splash at a nearby suit of armour. Meanwhile the armour that is standing over Elanil sees an opportunity to finish off one of the intruders and slices her cleanly in half Hanurak seeing the killer of his town being defeated before he could take his revenge wipes out another armour in his rage and Twig finishes off the last suit of armour as Crackers manages to find his way back to his shoulder. As the group moves towards Elanil, Twig takes one of the helmets from the armour, while Astraea, saying a quiet prayer, for her sister checks her body and finds another dagger, a couple of rings one of which Twig pockets and as Astraea holds the ring of mind shielding she hears Elanil's voice "What do you think you are doing sister?"
With a shocked look Elanil explains that the ring holds her soul until she decides to move on or finds another body so Valanthe says she can resurrect Elanil's body but it would be a different race. Agreeing Valanthe sets to work and for the next hour everyone takes a rest while they wait. "I'm not sure if I like this" says Elanil looking down at her new stumpy dwarf legs and stubble. Hanurak turns away with a smile on his face and urges everyone to move on towards the door at the end of the room. Astraea hands back Elanil's belongings and thinks to herself how Andre would have loved this. Walking into the next room they see runes over the floor with water streaming down the seaweed strewn walls. Faen studying the runes says they are old and Cuivie tells him that it talks of Leodar and her time with Gwyn Sunsword.
They also notice a riddle written on the far wall
The door opens in front of them they see another room with four braziers and at the other end is Phineas struggling to open the next door while a clerical wizard and three dragonborn in full plate and long swords stand behind him keeping watch.
Moving in to scout ahead Twig spots two archers above them on a balcony in sniping positions. Astraea also notices four paving slabs near the braziers in the centre on the room look odd and quickly warns the others of them.
Twig tells them of another door on the left wall that seems to lead to the balcony above.
Astraea casts Invisibility on Hanurak and Twig takes a shot at the archer on the right but misses and quickly hides in the darkness against the opposite brazier. Astraea shoots a fireball right into centre of the dragon born guard and Phineas hitting all of them. Managing to recover quickly the three dragon born fire their crossbow bolts at her.
Meanwhile, seeing his chance to press the advantage Rourke fires his revolvers at one of guards while Faen shoots another fireball hitting the three dragonborn again, one of the archers on balcony hits Astraea through the shoulder while their cleric heals the dragonborn guards. While all this is happening Hanurak taking advantage of the chaos, uncharacteristically sneaks next to one of the dragonborn, revealing himself as he swings his sword. Triss and Crackers set about distracting again while Valanthe heals the group and Twig casts darkness on the cleric while Astraea, now freed of the need to keep the barbarian invisible casts haste on Hanurak.
One of the dragonborn annoyed by the flying bird hits Triss dispelling the bird while his companion hits Hanurak but in his eagerness falls over while the last dragonborn moves towards Hanurak as well.
Rourke fires again to cover Hanurak and Twig, only stopping to reload. Shooting the dragonborn moving towards Hanurak he manages to kill them which causes the poison trap in the floor to go off as the body crumples on to the ground poisoning Hanurak. The cleric trying to get out of the cloud of darkness moves next to a brazier and tries to raise one of his dead companions but Faen just manages to counter spell before it could complete.
Seeing the dragonborn guard prone on the ground, Hanurak coolly finishes him off before moving next to the cleric swinging wildly at him and hitting him hard before he can cast shield.
Twig gets hit by the dragonborn who's face is covered in pus filled blisters from Valanthe's blight spell and Rourke puts him out of his misery by shooting the disease filled dragonborn before healing himself quickly.
Noticing the group starting to clump together the cleric casts divine word causing Faen to becomes blind and deaf while frightening Hanurak causing him to run for the nearest staircase getting hit several times but shrugging it off in his fear. Seeing the success of her blight spell Valanthe uses it again on the cleric who screams in pain.
Twig seeing his opportunity runs to Phineas casting darkness and obscuring the view from the group. Astraea fires immolation covering the cleric in fire.
Hanurak managing to steady himself on the stairs now that the cleric is out of view sees one of the archers at the top of the steps seeing her distracted by the raven Crackers he runs at her swinging his great sword. Suddenly the air is filled with a red mist as she explodes turning a once black Raven into a bright red one who flies towards the other archer. Seeing her comrade suddenly become rain of blood and gore coupled with a red Raven flying towards she she flees leaving just the cleric which Valanthe finishes of with another casting of Blight, leaving him a rotten pile of flesh on the floor. The darkness that had been covering Twig and Phineas disappears as Phineas opens the door and runs down the corridor and the others see Twig lying motionless on the floor blood streaming for a stab wound in his abdomen.
Valanthe rushes over but can't feel a pulse. Seeing another opportunity to resurrect someone, she prepares her spell but as she finishes taking out the last of her components, Twig takes a breath as if sensing Valanthe's keenness. As he comes round he dwells on the vision he had while seemingly dead of a beautiful woman who says his work isn't done and that they mustn't forget their agreement. Suddenly everyone hears a loud rumble and the sound of falling masonry then a faint cry for help. Following the voice they enter another room with a door and runes above an alcove saying
Back on the other side of the door after hearing Astraea shout through that it was safe Hanurak uses a trophy from his homeland that he hunted with his father while Rourke puts his regimental ring and Valanthe a love token from Tarrius they all pass through. Faen hesitates but finally decides to also go through and Elanil quickly follows.
As Faen enters he sees Hanurak trying to lift the pillar which even he cannot move and they all gather around Phineas. He looks at them all and pleads for forgiveness which despite his betrayal and the wounds he's caused them they all grant him. Heaving together the group manage to move the pillar of the scoundrel.
Phineas gets up and approaches the altar with a smile. Everyone tenses ready for him to flee again but he just picks up the segment and walks over to Astraea saying that he knows how hard it was for her to forgive him and hands her the segment before transforming into Leodar she wishes them all the luck of the gods and opens a door which leads onto the docks of Eidover, walking through and taking in the bright sunshine they decide to head back to the tavern. As Astraea puts the segment into her bag she notices that Andre's urn has been returned and telling the others they all find to their great relief that their belongings have been returned too. Entering the tavern Saresh Foun hurries over asking for news, over a quick meal they discuss what happened in the tomb and Saresh tells them that Alistair still isn't back and last she heard he was attempting to make his way to Brattin's tomb. Retiring for the night and after a refreshing sleep the group are woken by a loud knocking on the tavern door. Saresh answers and Solaire is standing in the doorway with a couple of guards.
Asking to speak with Hanurak who comes down the stairs and is pleased to see his friend. Solaire tells him that a large number of orcs have arrived at the gates seeking passage in his name. Agreeing to go see them everyone grabs a quick breakfast and head off to the gates, seeing Ishak, Hanurak reassures Solaire that these are his tribe and Solaire reluctantly agrees for them to stay instructing his men to aid them in setting up camps for their women and children. Ishak tells them that Orryn has taken the fort of Gael Norvus and that the tribe has been fleeing through the Prickling Forest. He says that they counted roughly 20,000 rune men. 10,000 of which have seemingly disappeared on the road and 15,000 other troops of differing races who have joined the cause from other kingdoms.
"So its rebellion" Solaire says looking grave at the news and telling them that the city has been evacuating and preparing for the assault since they heard about Orryn's march, the defences are mostly in place but they've only evacuated around two thirds of the civilians and still have around 5,000 in the city walls that are being moved to the inner districts. Ishak says Orryn is at most a day away and between Hanurak, Solaire and Rourke they start formulating plans to help reinforce the defences. Astraea asks Elanil if she can contact Orryn and glean any information from him but Elanil returns with little that everyone already knows, but she did give him some false information.
Seeing that they cannot really help at the city walls Astraea and Faen head to the The Unseen University and help them with strengthening the shield over the city while Valanthe assist the Church of Sunlight set up medical tents and triage centres. While everyone is rallying to aid the city Twig wanders off to Orryn's house with the noble intention of making sure Orryn hasn't returned but seeing the whole district has been evacuated and lies empty his natural urges win out and he enters Orryn's house going to his study and setting fire to it. The papers and books catch and the room is quickly engulfed in flame running on to the street he sees the house is now a blazing inferno and spreading to the neighbouring residences. Guards come running yelling fire and quickly start throwing water on the blaze even setting up a bucket train to the nearest well. Feeling slightly guilty for putting strain on an already stressful situation for the city he decides to make himself feel better by looting a few houses before returning to the group. After a few hours rest the group all reunite at the city's inner wall, as the sun rises they see a mass of soldiers approaching. As it gets closer they soon see the familiar banners of Orryn's army. They hear the call for the shield to be raised. As the generator towers are activated by the wizards next to them a huge explosion rings out across the city, then another, and another and another as each tower along the outer wall is engulfed in flame, the shield shimmers then collapses. Solaire turns to the group and in the calm tones of a seasoned soldiers tells them to take a reserve regiment to the outer wall and hold off Orryn's army while the wizards repair the outer shield and they finish evacuating civilians.
Animated armour
Astraea who is still flying slightly above the group casts haste on both Hanurak and Rourke as he moves back to the wall and fires at one of the six suits of armour that they see are in some of the alcoves lining the room.
Faen casts acid splash on the one Rourke shot the acid eating its way through the bullet holes. One of the suits attacks Elanil while another hits Valanthe. Hanurak in a rage swings his sword wildly missing the armour and falling over onto the floor face first. Elanil uses her booming blade hitting the armour that was a melting mass and kills it. Both Triss and Crackers fly to different armours and spend most of the fight trying to distract them and interfere on the group's behalf. Valanthe misses with her attack and as she panics and runs, the armour hits her. Twig, who is still hidden, seeing this unfold looses a bolt from his crossbow hitting one of the suits while Astraea shoots two scorching Rays at them noticing that she's having to put in more energy than normal to get the same effect. Rourke fires his revolvers again while Faen casts chromatic orb and the armour hits Elanil and knocks her unconscious from behind. Hanurak wails on the armour nearest him with his sword smashing it to ruin while Valanthe heals Faen with her words just before another suit of armour smashes into the wizard. Crackers getting a little confused flies straight into one of the suits and with a squawk flies groggily away leaving its imprint on the breastplate.
Twig being concerned for his Raven fires a bolt again while Astraea fires two more rays and Rourke misses with his bullets. Faen decides he's had enough of being a pin cushion so he misty steps away and shoots acid splash at a nearby suit of armour. Meanwhile the armour that is standing over Elanil sees an opportunity to finish off one of the intruders and slices her cleanly in half Hanurak seeing the killer of his town being defeated before he could take his revenge wipes out another armour in his rage and Twig finishes off the last suit of armour as Crackers manages to find his way back to his shoulder. As the group moves towards Elanil, Twig takes one of the helmets from the armour, while Astraea, saying a quiet prayer, for her sister checks her body and finds another dagger, a couple of rings one of which Twig pockets and as Astraea holds the ring of mind shielding she hears Elanil's voice "What do you think you are doing sister?"
With a shocked look Elanil explains that the ring holds her soul until she decides to move on or finds another body so Valanthe says she can resurrect Elanil's body but it would be a different race. Agreeing Valanthe sets to work and for the next hour everyone takes a rest while they wait. "I'm not sure if I like this" says Elanil looking down at her new stumpy dwarf legs and stubble. Hanurak turns away with a smile on his face and urges everyone to move on towards the door at the end of the room. Astraea hands back Elanil's belongings and thinks to herself how Andre would have loved this. Walking into the next room they see runes over the floor with water streaming down the seaweed strewn walls. Faen studying the runes says they are old and Cuivie tells him that it talks of Leodar and her time with Gwyn Sunsword.
They also notice a riddle written on the far wall
"It may only be given, not taken or bought. what the sinner desires, but the saint does not. what is it?"
The Rune Floor
Studying the floor Twig notices that some of the slabs with the runes on them seem different to the others. Realising that the runes on the floor are part of the puzzle he crosses safely to the other side showing the group the letters that spell out Forgiveness.The door opens in front of them they see another room with four braziers and at the other end is Phineas struggling to open the next door while a clerical wizard and three dragonborn in full plate and long swords stand behind him keeping watch.
Moving in to scout ahead Twig spots two archers above them on a balcony in sniping positions. Astraea also notices four paving slabs near the braziers in the centre on the room look odd and quickly warns the others of them.
Twig tells them of another door on the left wall that seems to lead to the balcony above.
Astraea casts Invisibility on Hanurak and Twig takes a shot at the archer on the right but misses and quickly hides in the darkness against the opposite brazier. Astraea shoots a fireball right into centre of the dragon born guard and Phineas hitting all of them. Managing to recover quickly the three dragon born fire their crossbow bolts at her.
Meanwhile, seeing his chance to press the advantage Rourke fires his revolvers at one of guards while Faen shoots another fireball hitting the three dragonborn again, one of the archers on balcony hits Astraea through the shoulder while their cleric heals the dragonborn guards. While all this is happening Hanurak taking advantage of the chaos, uncharacteristically sneaks next to one of the dragonborn, revealing himself as he swings his sword. Triss and Crackers set about distracting again while Valanthe heals the group and Twig casts darkness on the cleric while Astraea, now freed of the need to keep the barbarian invisible casts haste on Hanurak.
One of the dragonborn annoyed by the flying bird hits Triss dispelling the bird while his companion hits Hanurak but in his eagerness falls over while the last dragonborn moves towards Hanurak as well.
Rourke fires again to cover Hanurak and Twig, only stopping to reload. Shooting the dragonborn moving towards Hanurak he manages to kill them which causes the poison trap in the floor to go off as the body crumples on to the ground poisoning Hanurak. The cleric trying to get out of the cloud of darkness moves next to a brazier and tries to raise one of his dead companions but Faen just manages to counter spell before it could complete.
Seeing the dragonborn guard prone on the ground, Hanurak coolly finishes him off before moving next to the cleric swinging wildly at him and hitting him hard before he can cast shield.
Twig gets hit by the dragonborn who's face is covered in pus filled blisters from Valanthe's blight spell and Rourke puts him out of his misery by shooting the disease filled dragonborn before healing himself quickly.
Noticing the group starting to clump together the cleric casts divine word causing Faen to becomes blind and deaf while frightening Hanurak causing him to run for the nearest staircase getting hit several times but shrugging it off in his fear. Seeing the success of her blight spell Valanthe uses it again on the cleric who screams in pain.
Twig seeing his opportunity runs to Phineas casting darkness and obscuring the view from the group. Astraea fires immolation covering the cleric in fire.
Hanurak managing to steady himself on the stairs now that the cleric is out of view sees one of the archers at the top of the steps seeing her distracted by the raven Crackers he runs at her swinging his great sword. Suddenly the air is filled with a red mist as she explodes turning a once black Raven into a bright red one who flies towards the other archer. Seeing her comrade suddenly become rain of blood and gore coupled with a red Raven flying towards she she flees leaving just the cleric which Valanthe finishes of with another casting of Blight, leaving him a rotten pile of flesh on the floor. The darkness that had been covering Twig and Phineas disappears as Phineas opens the door and runs down the corridor and the others see Twig lying motionless on the floor blood streaming for a stab wound in his abdomen.
Valanthe rushes over but can't feel a pulse. Seeing another opportunity to resurrect someone, she prepares her spell but as she finishes taking out the last of her components, Twig takes a breath as if sensing Valanthe's keenness. As he comes round he dwells on the vision he had while seemingly dead of a beautiful woman who says his work isn't done and that they mustn't forget their agreement. Suddenly everyone hears a loud rumble and the sound of falling masonry then a faint cry for help. Following the voice they enter another room with a door and runes above an alcove saying
"all must sacrifice that which is dear to them,"Twig approaches an alcove next to the door and presents his mystery key feeling a warmth grow up his arm he is suddenly standing in a new room with an altar holding another segment of the Orb of Galthak. Quickly scanning the room he sees Phineas lying under what looks like a fallen column. Seeing Twig go through and taking a deep breath Astraea takes out a small urn filled with Andre's ashes "sorry my friend" she says as she puts the urn into the alcove she finds she is suddenly standing in an ornate room with a high domed ceiling and an altar with a piece of the orb on it. Off to the side she can see Twig trying to help Phineas. Ignoring them she approaches the fragment but her Mage hand passes straight through it.
As Faen enters he sees Hanurak trying to lift the pillar which even he cannot move and they all gather around Phineas. He looks at them all and pleads for forgiveness which despite his betrayal and the wounds he's caused them they all grant him. Heaving together the group manage to move the pillar of the scoundrel.
Phineas gets up and approaches the altar with a smile. Everyone tenses ready for him to flee again but he just picks up the segment and walks over to Astraea saying that he knows how hard it was for her to forgive him and hands her the segment before transforming into Leodar she wishes them all the luck of the gods and opens a door which leads onto the docks of Eidover, walking through and taking in the bright sunshine they decide to head back to the tavern. As Astraea puts the segment into her bag she notices that Andre's urn has been returned and telling the others they all find to their great relief that their belongings have been returned too. Entering the tavern Saresh Foun hurries over asking for news, over a quick meal they discuss what happened in the tomb and Saresh tells them that Alistair still isn't back and last she heard he was attempting to make his way to Brattin's tomb. Retiring for the night and after a refreshing sleep the group are woken by a loud knocking on the tavern door. Saresh answers and Solaire is standing in the doorway with a couple of guards.
Asking to speak with Hanurak who comes down the stairs and is pleased to see his friend. Solaire tells him that a large number of orcs have arrived at the gates seeking passage in his name. Agreeing to go see them everyone grabs a quick breakfast and head off to the gates, seeing Ishak, Hanurak reassures Solaire that these are his tribe and Solaire reluctantly agrees for them to stay instructing his men to aid them in setting up camps for their women and children. Ishak tells them that Orryn has taken the fort of Gael Norvus and that the tribe has been fleeing through the Prickling Forest. He says that they counted roughly 20,000 rune men. 10,000 of which have seemingly disappeared on the road and 15,000 other troops of differing races who have joined the cause from other kingdoms.
"So its rebellion" Solaire says looking grave at the news and telling them that the city has been evacuating and preparing for the assault since they heard about Orryn's march, the defences are mostly in place but they've only evacuated around two thirds of the civilians and still have around 5,000 in the city walls that are being moved to the inner districts. Ishak says Orryn is at most a day away and between Hanurak, Solaire and Rourke they start formulating plans to help reinforce the defences. Astraea asks Elanil if she can contact Orryn and glean any information from him but Elanil returns with little that everyone already knows, but she did give him some false information.
Seeing that they cannot really help at the city walls Astraea and Faen head to the The Unseen University and help them with strengthening the shield over the city while Valanthe assist the Church of Sunlight set up medical tents and triage centres. While everyone is rallying to aid the city Twig wanders off to Orryn's house with the noble intention of making sure Orryn hasn't returned but seeing the whole district has been evacuated and lies empty his natural urges win out and he enters Orryn's house going to his study and setting fire to it. The papers and books catch and the room is quickly engulfed in flame running on to the street he sees the house is now a blazing inferno and spreading to the neighbouring residences. Guards come running yelling fire and quickly start throwing water on the blaze even setting up a bucket train to the nearest well. Feeling slightly guilty for putting strain on an already stressful situation for the city he decides to make himself feel better by looting a few houses before returning to the group. After a few hours rest the group all reunite at the city's inner wall, as the sun rises they see a mass of soldiers approaching. As it gets closer they soon see the familiar banners of Orryn's army. They hear the call for the shield to be raised. As the generator towers are activated by the wizards next to them a huge explosion rings out across the city, then another, and another and another as each tower along the outer wall is engulfed in flame, the shield shimmers then collapses. Solaire turns to the group and in the calm tones of a seasoned soldiers tells them to take a reserve regiment to the outer wall and hold off Orryn's army while the wizards repair the outer shield and they finish evacuating civilians.
Report Date
06 Feb 2019
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