Wrath of the Righteous

[Stephen]

Phantom Soros downtime activity.
20 days available.

EARN XP:
Starting XP = 89,316 (lvl 9).

3 days' training @6400xp/day = 108,516 (ding 10)
5 days' training @9600xp/day = 156,516 (ding 11)
5 days' training @12,800xp/day = 220,516 (ding 12)
1 day training @19,200xp/day but capped at 237,317

5 days Eidolon retrain feat

1 day shopping and sightseeing

[Richard Loh]

19th Neth AR 4713

Deeds completed:

Cleansing of Six Shadowstone's ancestral tomb in Sesker's Gully as well as the quick disposal of the barbarian raiders.

Said barbarian raider claims to be sharing the same blood as Emrys by a being known as Jerribeth.

Shandy Radler has disappeared within the week that the party went out cleansing the area. No clues of where she is whatsoever. Drezen has repelled a marauding band of demons with the Zergs, the Knights and the Guntanks holding the fort. An Ulkreth leading the attack was subsequently destroyed by the Anfernator.

Emrys dreamt of a beautiful succubus the night of the attack. 'Help! The demons have found me. I have no idea how much longer the wards can sustain. Even now, I believe that they are gathering even greater numbers in the hope of breaching the wards. I have information which can help the crusaders. Come, save me. Look to the west, beyond the rivers. Seek an ancient temple of Desna... and look for the tower.'

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[Richard Loh]

01st Kuthona AR 4713

Twelve days. What transpired was one of the accounts of the Knights of Kenabres.

The Conquerors of Drezen shadow-walked to the west in search of a succubus who called to Emrys. Said succubus rumoured to have information which could turn the tide of the crusade. Heard that the party dispatched an ambush of demons. It was a tough fight but they managed to walk away. It could also be said that due to the loudness of his guns that all the enemies in the monastery of Desna that they all attacked at the same time. Six Shadowstone with his awesomeness destroyed the Seraphic pistol for misfiring the weapon too much.

Found Arueshulae the Reformed. Brought her before the council and Emrys agreed to vouch for her hence disallowing eyes and security on her. Spent the next twelve days travelling back to the place we called Arueshulae's Redoubt and collect the Bell of Mercy, an artifact of Desna. Said artifact protected Arueshulae while the demons led by the annis attempted to storm the area.

Brought the artifact back to Drezen slightly ahead of the demonic host behind them. With the demons arriving in two days, the Conquerors wanted to put the Bell in the aerie, but further investigation revealed that some of Vysanthe's followers were murdered in cold blood. Supposedly to use their blood as a summoning circle leading to Hell.

Arashvanial confirmed that the portal could be reversed and lead right into Avernus, the first layer of Hell. After much deliberation, the three Heroes, Emrys, Laurentius and Six plunged into the gate with no regards. "Twelve hours", they called. "If we do not return by twelve hours with Shandy Radler. Close the gate behind us!" Plunging in, they forgotten that they have no means of contacting the Prime Material Plane.

Will they succeed? Or will the Conquerors of Drezen, mythical heroes of Golarion perish in Avernus?

Edit: Information from Arueshulae indicates that she knows the location of the Templar stronghold, the Ivory Sanctum. Furthermore, she volunteers to travel with them to the Ivory Sanctum to defeat the leaders of the Sanctum who are stationed there. The Ivory Sanctum is where the Nahyndrian elixirs have been distributed to various powerful demons to enhance their power. A strike against the Ivory Sanctum would not only remove the leadership of the Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth, but any information about the crystals used to refine the Nahyndrian elixirs would be an incredible boon, for once the crusaders know where the crystals are being refined, that site can be attacked.

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[Daryl Kong]

Jun 15, 2014 22:28:48 GMT 8 Richard Loh said:

Or will the Conquerors of Drezen, mythical heroes of Golarion perish in Avernus?

Hell no!
The mystic heroes will take over hell, invade the abyss and kick the demon lords' butts.

[Stephen]

Here's the long-delayed loot breakdown:

item	price	sale price
+1 Adamantine greatsword Adamantine Battleaxe Blessed Book Dose of Silversheen +2 Banded Mail of Fire Resistance     +3 Spiked Plate +2 Breastplate Wand of Non-detection Phylactery of Faithfulness	5050 3010 12,500 250 22,250     10,550 4200 11,250 1000	2525 1505 6250 125 10,000 5275 2100 5625 500
TOTAL		33,905
per member (6)		5650

[Richard Loh]

A quick romp through Avernus, the group managed to rescue Shandy Radler, as well as a powerful mage, Kira Rin. Returning to the Prime Material Plane, the group hears that the demonic army is beginning their assault.

Arueshalae suggested that the party attempt a strike against the general of the army Xanthir Vang in his very own fortress, the Ivory Sanctum. Headquarters of the Templar of the Ivory Labyrinth, as well as the distributor of the Nahyndrian elixir.

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[Richard Loh]

03rd Kuthona AR 4713

The final assault on the Ivory Sanctum decimated the backbone of the Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth in the Worldwound. A furious fight in which the heroes fought desperate battles have Six died of a heart attack by a phantasmal killer which Xanthir Vang released and with the party severely wounded.

By some miracle, Six stood up and finished off Xanthir with his attacks and Jerribeth granted Laurentius his wish of becoming a true creature of Shadow. Jayden spent most of his time in his Zerg lands and finally, he came back, more powerful than ever to assist the party in their final fight against Xanthir.

Carrying a staggering amount of treasure out of the Ivory Sanctum, the party discovered the following from Xanthir Vang's journals.

The contents of this journal focus on Xanthir’s involvement in the refinement of Nahyndrian crystals into things such as the elixirs used to grant demons mythic power and the chisel that was used to deliver the death blow to the Kenabres’s wardstone. Hints of new uses for these crystals includes preliminary plans for the creation of a Nahyndrian golem of incredible power. The most important clue found in the journals is the revelation that the Nahyndrian crystals are being mined in the Abyssal realm of the Midnight Isles, and that the journal reveals the crystals to be the fossilized lifeblood of assassinated demon lords! The fact that the ruler of the Midnight Isles, the demon lord Nocticula, has not yet granted permission for the mining project is of note as well—the journal records several attempts by the cult of Baphomet to bring Nocticula into the alliance associated with the Worldwound, but so far, the Queen of Shadows has not agreed to join. The journal vaguely mentions a few new attempts to forge such an alliance that will soon be undertaken by the Templars stationed in the Abyss; these are the latest entries in the book, and mention two women in particular as agents working to secure an alliance: Minagho (who is apparently trying to win back the good graces of Baphomet after failing to protect the remnants of the Kenabres’s wardstone) and Hepzamirah, the daughter of Baphomet (who is the true leader of the Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth, and the one in charge of the Nahyndrian crystal mining operation on the Midnight Isles). The thought of one of the most powerful demon lords in the Abyss joining the fight against the crusaders should be sobering indeed.

With the defeat of Xanthir Vang, and the recovery of the cult’s plans and secrets, the heroes have dealt a critical blow to one of the most insidious and dangerous organizations in the Worldwound. Once the Templar of the Ivory Labyrinth’s secrets and plans are made plain to the crusaders, a well informed and highly efficient reckoning takes place, and very few hidden agents or corrupt crusaders escape notice.

Many of the treasonous individuals revealed are high ranking commanders or consultants on the war effort, and their loss deals something of a blow to the crusade’s momentum in the short run, but in the long run the party have set into motion the redemption of a troubled organization. Going forward, this crusade will be the most honorable and righteous of any since the First Crusade!

Arueshalae have distinguished herself in the defense of Citadel Drezen with Lyseth Silverhair gushing about how her Starbow tore holes into the enemies' ranks and with her knowledge of demonic tactics, her aid in the siege was invaluable. Jayden's Zerg forces held its ground admirably with the demons caught by surprise by the Zergs' sudden emergence into their midst and tearing a bloody swath and causing terrible chaos as the demons were unaware of such powerful and weird looking allies in the humans' midst. While the rest of the normal races held Citadel Drezen, the Sword of Valour provided significant benefit to the Citadel's defense as previously easily accessible locations are now inaccessible due to the restriction on teleportation magic by vile demons.

On Xanthir Vang's defeat, the demons, sensing the loss of connection with their lord beat a hasty retreat with the defenders of Drezen rushing out to beat the horde back. Sensing a possible trap, Lyseth successfully convinced the defenders to stay put which earned her admiration for her battle acumen.

With the defeat of the Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth, the Champions of the Fifth Crusade finally manage to get some much-needed rest and to recoup the loss of their forces.

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[Stephen]

Emrys was an anxious man. His beloved had come close to being destroyed forever, and it was only touch-and-go whether she would pull through. But every time he tried to check on the repair work of the god-given Seraphic Pistol, the enigmatic dwarf Six would put him off somehow.

Later, in the war room, he found himself contemplating the shapely thighs and butt of the succubus Arueshalae as she leant far over the map table. Nice of her to keep the bad-girl leather look and hooker heels he thought. Intrigued by the languid motions of her tail he was slow to realise that, still bent over low, she had cocked her head round to ask him, “Well, what do you think Emrys?”
“Umm. Magnificent” he muttered.
“Our strategic position?”
“Oh, that. I, we’re at a disadvantage.”
Just then the familiar sound of another pair of power heels came approaching fast.

The narrow-eyed stare of Shandy Radler silenced the tower's guards before they had the nerve to tell her her access to this area had been rescinded. She stomped to a halt in front of the paladin; grace, attitude and infernal chic all rolled into one beautiful package. Why oh why did she have to be the property of Asmodeus?
"I'm pregnant you bastard!" she spat out, "Thanks to a dumb holy gun and his dumb holy gun".

As she stormed off again he couldn't help thinking that now would be a good time for the demons to attack.

[Richard Loh]

11th Kuthona AR 4713

On Queen Galfrey's summons, the mythical heroes of Drezen once more plunged into the Worldwound, this time to close the rift to the Midnight Fane thereby ending the processing facility on the Prime Material Plane, prevent the Midnight Alliance from happening and to destroy the supply of Nahyndrian crystals for the creation of the Nahyndrian elixirs. Elixirs which can grant powerful demons the power of the gods.

Entering the Midnight Fane, the party was quickly escorted to the Mistress of the Fane, Yaniel, a legendary crusader who single-handedly redeemed herself in the Worldwound and which inspired several ballads. Trying to convince the heroes to defect to serve Baphomet, Emrys wanted to talk her out of it but eventually, all diplomatic options were exhausted and a fight ensued in which the party handily defeated Yaniel. Further search of the area revealed that Yaniel was actually an illusion and also the true Yaniel was now a dessicated dried husk. Emrys managed to break her curse and restored her back to life.

Queen Galfrey herself decided to escort Yaniel back to Nerosyan and let her rest, and perhaps, even allowing her to retire from adventuring. Before leaving, Yaniel held her sword Radiance for the last time & with her touch, Radiance glowed & blossomed into its full power as a holy avenger, a mighty weapon against the demonic foes arrayed against the party.

With the combined might of Emrys & Vysanthe on one side of the rift, while Queen Galfrey conducts the ritual on the other side, the ritual from the Lexicon of Paradox worked successfully and now the rift to the Midnight Fane is closed.

What awaits the party now is a slow trek into the Abyss to attempt to break the Midnight Alliance. Will they succeed or will the legendary Conquerors of Drezen perish in the Abyss?

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[Stephen]

Next downtime Emrys will start retraining into being a proper (vanilla) paladin. He's accumulated four alternative class features through the Holy Gun archetype (Have Gun, Divine Deed, Divine Bond, Holy Grit), so this translates into 20 days and 3000gp.

Edit: Hmmm ... but this would mean he'd get access to a proper Detect Evil ... I guess he'll just be forgetful.

[Richard Loh]

13rd Kuthona AR 4713

Finding themselves on the abandoned island of Vazglar, 600 miles from Alushinyrra, the party sees a shrine dedicated to Nocticula, Our Lady of Shadows, demon lord of assassins, darkness and lust up ahead. Examining the shrine, it is said that by completing the ritual of assassination dedicated to her, the party will have magical aid rendered. With Vysanthe's vast knowledge of religion and all things arcana, she knew the steps to completion and upon completion, a portal to Alushinyrra materialises.

Bravely stepping through, the party find themselves on the streets of Alushinyrra, the seat of power on the Midnight Isles. Demons, extraplanar creatures with a few humanoids are all mingling freely on the streets. Occasional fights break out between the creatures but in general, a small modicum of peace could be found between them all. Partly, due to the fact that planewalker humanoids are powerful in their own right.

In an effort to prevent the Midnight Alliance from taking place, the rulers of Drezen decided to seek information on how best to seek an audience with Nocticula. Firstly, they went to the Battlebliss, an exclusive arena in which powerful cambions and powerful humanoids from all over the planes come to gather to enjoy the bloodshed. Emrys volunteered to take on their four-armed incubus champion, Gelderfang. Poorly underequipped to handle firearms fire, Gelderfang perished within 18 seconds of the fighting and the crowd was a little underwhelmed by the lack of entertainment value of the fight. The lilitu Minagho seized this chance to attack Emrys while he is still recovering from his injuries inflicted by Gelderfang. Vysanthe quickly jumped in and before Minagho can do any more damage, turned her into a statue of ice.

Secondly, after surviving an ambush by a half-invidiak ankou, the party decided to go shopping to spend their hard earned wealth as the economy of Drezen is still abysmal. Banking on their growing notoriety on the streets of Alushinyrra, Jayden managed to get a discount for the party in exchange for one of his zerglings' eggs. They also learned that in the Rapture of Rupture, a powerful succubus is looking for entertainers for her manor. Vellexia, head of the recruiting firm has seen much in her millennia long lifespan and nothing much impresses her much. She was disappointed in the lack of talent in Alushinyrra and was about to leave when the mythical heroes auditioned.

With a combination talent of ukulele playing, bloodshed due to dismemberment of members of the public by the zerglings, and an Iomedean paladin catching bullets with his teeth, they were granted an audience and Vellexia was suitably impressed. Putting 4 bullets into his own mouth, Emrys asked Six to let lose with multiple shots of the rifle at Emrys' face. Taking it into stride, Emrys made a show of spitting out the bullets to Vellexia's delight. Highlight of the routine includes Jayden and his zerglings managing to pull innocent civilians to be torn apart badly with Vysanthe's ukulele playing as an accompaniment to the show. Vellexia thus impressed, requested that the quartet stay long term in her manor and the party agreed.

Eventually, Nocticula told the party to meet her at the Vault of Graves for an audience and after resting, they teleported to the Vault, but not before being warn that they must face her guardians to earn the right. Moving in, the party was beset by 4 demonic shades and eventually, even the great Emrys, holy gun of Iomedae perished and rose as a shadow. Slaying his shadow, the party took and used the oil of life to bring Emrys back to life.

Stepping into the audience hall and presenting their case, Nocticula mentioned that she is aware of the work of the cult of Baphomet in her realm. Nocticula informs the group that when they are ready, they need but to step into the pool in the Hall of Graves to be transported to the shores of Colyphyr, the isle on which Baphomet’s daughter and her cultists toil in a hidden mine. Nocticula tells them that the cultists have been using the island’s only river to come and go, and warns them against flight there, for the vrocks in the skies above are protective of their domain.

Before leaving, she offers each of them one more boon if they desired. Jayden, desired to stay in Alushinyrra to serve Nocticula as her special enforcer while Vysanthe requested for power. Beckoning Vysanthe into her fold, Nocticula's spread her wings wide and pulled Vysanthe in, and as her glowing wings wrapped itself around Vysanthe and herself, they engaged in an extremely passionate kiss. Eyes aglow with power, Vysanthe smiled a coy little smile as she disengaged herself from the demon lord's arms.

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[Daryl Kong]

Witnessing the unholy embrace between the Demon Lord Nocticula and the fallen Vysanthe, Six Shadowstone, a man whose entire life was spent in evil and who is on the path to redemption, refused Nocticula’s gifts of power!

Instead, Six walked over to the sadden Emrys and spoke with righteous fury.

“Hand me my family heirloon, the Shadowstone Holy Pistol! As I am unworthy to wield such a divine relic, may Iomedae bestow upon me some protection against the self inflict pain! In her honour, I shall deal the killing blow to Baphomet and Deskari with this weapon of light!”

[Stephen]

Emrys creaks a little in his plate and gets down to one knee to be eye level with the dwarf. Reverently he draws the holy weapon and places it into Six’s hand. “It was an honour to be brief custodian of this heirloom of the noble Shadowstone clan. And it is a greater honour to now witness you embrace your birthright. May the Inheritor watch over you and guide both your aim and your heart.”

Rising again Emrys blinks away the moistness of his eyes. “Oh, and try not to be a clumsy fuck and misfire that piece into oblivion.”

[Richard Loh]

14th Kuthona AR 4713

The party continued on their journey, carried by Laurentius with his newly found shape-changing powers. Also met a traveller clad in an extremely stylised full plate armour and with a terribly noisy sword. A sword with constantly rotating serrous teeth on its edges. A traveller whom Six promptly labelled 'Doom guy' as he has forgotten his name.

Bypassing the defenses of the cultists on the island of Colyphyr, the party is set to traverse deep into the Nahyndrian Mines to take out the source of the crystals once and for all.

[Richard Loh]

10th Abadius AR 4714

By successfully killing Hepzamirah, the Conquerors of Drezen have struck a decisive blow in the Worldwound and at the same time, further production of Nayhyndrian elixir is almost impossible which would render a decrease in the number of mythical demons.

As Vysanthe successfully disintegrated Hepzamirah, the favoured daughter of Baphomet, the form of Baphomet emerged from her ashes and the party was almost driven to the point of desperation as both Doomguy and Laurentius were severely wounded in the fight. The booming voice of Baphomet forms in the party's mind.

“Mortal worms! You have destroyed my daughter. But even in her failure, she proved of use to me, for while you toyed with her, I took from your mewling patron one of her own! Know, fools, that none of those you value are safe from me. Even your goddess Iomedae knows my wrath, for I have claimed her herald as my latest plaything, stolen from her as you whiled your time away in the Midnight Isles. And now, I do the same to you! When I am done with you, your bones shall join those of millions more within the walls of my Ivory Labyrinth!”

Yet just before the demon lord can complete his manifestation, the shadows suddenly darken around his form, then rush in and surround him in a vortex of violence. Flesh begins peeling away from Baphomet’s frame, and a horn suddenly snaps off at the root. The demon lord shrieks in pain as a familiar, feminine voice speaks from the shadows.

“No, lord of slain daughters. This is my realm, and these are my guests. You are the intruder here, and your bones shall decorate my palace walls if you choose to remain!”

Baphomet shrieks again, but then his form shrinks away and vanishes as he chooses instead to flee from Nocticula’s presence. With the demon lord of minotaurs gone, the shadows congeal before the heroes, granting them a glimpse of Nocticula’s feminine curves somewhere in the darkness as she speaks one final time.

“And so you have done it. I must admit, I’m a touch surprised. You have more in you than I suspected. Rest assured, mortals, that your enemies will claim no more of my realm’s blood for themselves. Yet you have made a greater enemy than the children of gods tonight, and I suspect you will be facing Baphomet again. Were that I could be there to watch. I must say, I’m not sure who would prevail in such a clash! No matter— the way to the Midnight Fane and your homes on the Material Plane lies before you. You have but to step into my shadow to be on your way home.”

As the entire party stepped through and re-emerges through the shadows back into the Material Plane in the Midnight Fane, all but Vysanthe is present. "Since you have accepted my boon, you shall remain in my service as is wont by our agreement. You will join Jayden to remain here in the Midnight Isles, Vysanthe." With such chilling words, the Heroes of the Fifth Crusade now realises that they have lost two valuable companions. A hero & heroine whose personal charisma is the driving force in Drezen's defence and economy.

Spy reports indicated that for the month, attacks on Nerosyan have started to gradually decrease as the Storm King Khorramzadeh is re-directing his forces back to the defence of Iz as he feels the threat from the Heroes of the Fifth Crusade is ever growing. As the spy expires, Emrys used his lay on hands to bring back to life the spy. A sign that Iomedae is definitely with him. And true enough, as the spy gasps back to life, the Heroes are immediately summoned to the presence of Iomedae, to her cathedral in the Heavens, herself. There, she asked three questions. One of knowledge & humility, second of conflict & mercy and lastly, of conviction & bravery. She seems satisfied with their answers.

Of the first, as she hands the Chalice of Ozem to Laurentius, she have this to say: “Take then this cup to hold the foul blood of the Father of Worms, for it is said his blood can melt any lock—this may be your key to the Baphomet’s prison.”

Of the second, “Your words bring me great relief, for you understand the central conf lict before us all. True heroism is neither the sword that strikes nor the blessing of redemption, but the ability to know which is the proper judgment. Even in the depths of evil, some unlikely souls may yet be saved from their own lives of malice, as some villains may come to be forgiven. Do not forget this, even in the most unlikely places.” She grants each of the Heroes of the Fifth Crusade an ability to atone for their misdeeds. “Use this gift for yourselves should you fall to temptation, but resist if you can so that the gift may be given to those who may need it more than you.”

The goddess nods in approval to the answer to the third question. “Strike evil in the name of the good and right, and redeem those you can from folly. With the blessing of Iomedae, you shall vanquish evil, and your names shall ring with glory, for even if you fail in this righteous task, your just rewards will await you in the Great Beyond! Take then this, my final gift to you! With it, you shall always be but a step away from home, yet know that the path it opens to safety will save you but once before it returns to me—save such f light for a last resort.” Iomedae then removes a thread from her cloak, which transforms into a stole as she hands it to Lazencia, a follower & spiritual successor of Vysanthe, aspiring goddess.

“You are worthy to champion me against Baphomet, for mandate prohibits the interaction of the divine in even such matters as personal as the loss of a herald. I charge you as worthy souls to go into the darkness of the Abyss, into the Ivory Labyrinth of my enemy, and seek out my herald. If he be dead or worse, I trust you shall finish things as befits those of your boldness. Heed the advice I have given you. Go forth on a road of honor, swiftly and with great justice, to defeat Baphomet and return or avenge my herald. In so doing may you find the strength to face the true peril that lies ahead. Deskari always watches, and the time shall soon come when the Worldwound must be closed forever lest it consume your world.”

With that, the cathedral flashes white once again, and an instant later the party have returned to where they left the Material Plane. Yet in each of their hands is a simple token: a bronze holy symbol of Iomedae. Each hero knows that he need but hold the symbol in a fist and concentrate to be transported into the Ivory Labyrinth, one final “gift” from Iomedae to speed them on their way. Beyond this, she cannot aid them in the trials to come.

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