[Pathfinder] Wrath of the Righteous, part 50: Redemption

As the demons appeared behind me, Zosta rushed forward to punch one of them, but her fist met only empty space. I attempted unsuccessfully to spear one of them with an anchor of force. Zosta interposed herself between me and the demons to guard me. The demons attacked me and I lost consciousness and fell to the floor.

When I awoke a few moments later I found myself in a different spot, having been pulled away from the demons by Zero. Jiro had run back to me, dragging the heavy banner behind him, and had cast a spell to heal some of my injuries. Runa then used her special divinely-granted power to allow all of us to leap forward, which enabled me to quickly get to my feet and express my gratitude to Jiro.

Runa then touched Zosta's knuckles, imbuing them with Iomedae's power of good, and did the same for Zero's bow and her own blade. One of the demons rose into the wall above the doorway, while the next pursued me. The third demon turned on Zosta, and a moment later she had destroyed the foul creature. I tried to cast a spell to prevent the remaining demons from teleporting away, but like the anchors it failed to have any effect. Zero began his performance once again to strengthen our resolve, and Jiro said, "Stand together," and summoned the power of his spirit companion again.

Runa stepped nearer to me and cast a spell upon me to give me the toughness of a mighty bear in case the demon continued to attack me. Jiro and Zero stood on either side of me. Runa pursued one of the demons. One of them directed a spell at her, and I realized that it had possessed her body. An instant later it used her enchanted boots, which allow her to teleport a very short distance, to cause her to fall into the pit again. I could not see from my vantage, but Jiro flew over the pit and saw that the demon inside her was causing her to roll into the slime and burning her flesh with its acid. Jiro took the banner closer but did not land for fear of it touching the slime. He cast a protective circle around Runa. I sent Kirara to her with another protective spell, warning Kirara to avoid the slime.

The second remaining demon moved away from Zosta and flew down to where Runa's body lay, attempting to grasp hold of her, but the spells Jiro and I had cast upon her prevented that. In response to being thwarted, it filled the pit with a burst of flames direced at Runa. I took flight and directed one of my wands at the demon, attacking it with missiles of force, but the wand's strength failed to overcome the demon's native resistance to magical attacks.

Suddenly Bohgong appeared in his enlarged form, leaping down into the pit beside Runa. Though the slime burned his flesh, he picked her up. Bohgong carried her up out of the pit and the demon abandoned her. Zosta struck the demon twice with her fiery fists, and the demon appeared startled that the flames actually harmed it. Zosta then began wiping the burning slime off Runa's badly wounded body.

The demon that had attacked me earlier had sought to harm me with frigid attacks, and I now flew away from the area occupied by the demon and cast a spell on myself to protect me from such attacks. Bohgong had meanwhile collapsed, unconscious, but Jiro checked Runa first and cast a healing spell upon her, which revived her. Runa used her own divine healing on herself. Zosta began to pummel the demon there, while the second demon came at me again. But before it reached me it abruptly vanished, and I realized the original demon who guarded the banner must have summoned it from the Abyss and the duration of its temporary visit to the Material Plane must have come to an end, praise Qi Zhong.

In the meantime, Jiro began to clean the slime off Bohgong while Runa and Zero joined forces against the sole remaining demon. It was fittingly Runa's blade that slew the unholy beast. We then all turned our attention to healing Bohgong, who was very badly burned. Kirara even began to lick him to impart the little healing that her celestial nature grants her.

Once we were certain that Bohgong would survive, we attended to our own hurts. I observed that in the aftermath of these events, Jiro had become somewhat child-like in his behavior, which I attribute to something he had sacrificed to fuel his spells. When we all felt a bit healthier we examined the chamber more closely, finding some scratchings on the walls that signified nothing any of us could recognize. We had earlier noticed a number of crystals scattered about the room, which at first appeared to be the mysterious nahyndrian crystals, but we soon realized the crystals in the room were all false.

There was nothing else in the room of interest, so Jiro carefully rolled up the Sword of Valor, and Zosta carefully placed the now-diminutive Bohgong in Jiro's basket for transport back to the camp. As we climbed back up to the citadel we discussed what to do with the banner and whether we should keep its presence concealed until we could show it to Irabeth. When we reached the ground floor of the citadel we were met by a group of paladins, one of whom we sent to report to Irabeth. We found that keeping the presence of the banner concealed was impossible. As we made our way outside we were surrounded by members of the Crusader army seeking to see or touch it.

Sword of Valor

Irabeth had already ordered a scaffold to be set up for the purpose of hanging the banner in the Citadel's great hall, and presently it was displayed there for all of the defenders to admire. As soon as the banner was hung in this spot, we could all feel its protective power radiating from it and it seemed as though an aura of lingering evil had been banished from Drezen.

Irabeth encouraged Runa to use the banner's ability to summon a planetar from the heavenly plane to stand guard. When this being appeared she appeared pleased to have been called. Irabeth then asked Sosiel to send a magical message to someone, presumably to Queen Galfrey to apprise her of our success. Afterward a great celebration was organized to allow everyone to enjoy the banner's presence. Runa invited Jhoran Vhane to come and view the banner while the rest of our group mingled with the paladins and civilians in attendance. Jiro kept attempting to help those who were preparing food and beverages, until Bohgong told him to stop and participate.

Planetar

After a time Irabeth summoned us all into the chapel of Iomedae and read a letter to us that had been sent by Queen Galfrey. In the letter the Queen asked us to explore to the south and west of Drezen, taking particular care to look for things the defenders could use. Drezen would be rebuilt, and the hope was that we would also assist in that endeavor, to which we all agreed. Queen Galfrey had awarded us more medals, which like those we received previously bestowed some limited magical properties upon us.

In addition to the Queen's requests and gifts for us, she appointed Irabeth ruler over the reclaimed Drezen, named Anevia the spymaster, put Aravashnial in charge of defenses, made Aron warden of the city, and asked Sosiel to see to the inhabitants' spiritual needs. Horgus Gwerm seemed somewhat surprised to be made treasurer. After the letter was read and medals distributed we discussed that we knew a stronghold of the Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth lay somewhere not far away and we must see to eliminating it, as well as seek out the redeemed succubus Arushalae.

The following day brought another success, an unexpected one in that it was aided by Joran Vhane. Runa was walking through the camp with him when he suddenly froze, staring into the distance fearfully with perspiration beading his brow. He pulled Runa toward the group of paladins, trying to approach them unseen, but stealth is not a skill at which she has great talent. The paladin group were attracted to Runa by the noise she made. Joran then asked for her weapon and she gave him one of her swords. She told the paladins to drop their own weapons at Joran's behest, then ordered them to take a step back. They found this confusing, particularly as Joran was still being kept under guard. 

But as the men stepped away from their arms, a babau demon suddenly appeared in the midst of the weapons lying on the ground. The demon snatched up a weapon from the heap and was immediately attacked from all sides. It came as a rude surprise to the evil thing that it could not teleport away due to the protective ward emanating from the Sword of Valor, and it was swiftly slain.

Babau

Once the demon was eliminated, Jhoran explained that he had realized one of the paladins was carrying the weapon that had once belonged to his brother Staunton. This item could change its form to become any of a variety of weapons, and could also summon a babau. This was how the demon had invaded the camp and committed the murders that had been plaguing the army for several days. We were all chagrined to realize that we had not detected this evil weapon, but among its properties was the ability to make other weapons appear to have an evil aura, thus directing attention away from itself.

Though clearing Citadel Drezen of the last of its foul occupiers took far longer than we had anticipated and cost us dearly, we are proud to have accomplished this deed and restored the Sword of Valor to its rightful place. We have also determined how to alter the corruption forge in the dungeon so that it can remove corruption. The improved aura of this place has allowed Radiance, the legendary word Irabeth bears, to display even more if its divine power, and the garden Jiro created with his tree token has grown in size and is now under the care of a treant. It has even produced a shrub that grows berries which can substitute for a day's rations.

Radiance

But our journey is not done. We have yet much to do to ensure that the denizens of the Abyss can no longer threaten this world.

Next: part 51, Recovery

[Pathfinder] Wrath of the Righteous, part 49: The Struggle Continues

After we had spoken with Irabeth and she set to planning a memorial vigil in honor of our fallen companion, she comforted Runa, who felt most distressed by having control of her body taken from her by a creature of evil. Then we exited from Irabeth's tent to rest and prepare for the vigil. A strange occurrence befell me as we walked back to our tents, which I shall describe for you though it pains me to write of it. One of the most faithful and talented paladins who serve in Irabeth's honor guard stared hard at me, exclaiming that there was something amiss, and drew his sword.

In response some of the other paladins who were present also turned their gaze upon me, while still others looked askance of the man who had bared his blade. Jiro interposed himself between me and the man with the drawn sword, unsheathing his own blade, and when Runa saw Irabeth also turn a frowning expression on me she stepped between me and the leader of the Crusader army. Irabeth looked at me and said, "There is something wrong."

Everyone had been on edge due to the recent assassinations in the camp, and my own possession by the spirit of Eldrazi Portheim was still fresh in their minds. Spurred by this concern, Runa took hold of me. Kirara began to snarl at her, summoning the burst of extra strength her celestial nature grants her to slash at Runa with her claws. Despite Runa's grip on me I found that I could not refrain from beginning the casting of a spell. Jiro reacted by dispelling it before I could complete it. Irabeth took out an object I could not clearly see and spoke a word of command, and I felt myself cut off from the flow of arcane energy that ever surrounds me.

Zosta offered to take Runa's place in holding me pinned as she is so skilled at such maneuvers. To further control me she fastened a pair of manacles about my wrists. I found all of this quite bewildering and repeatedly attempted to reassure them that nothing was wrong with me, but they would not be persuaded. Jiro examined me for a moment and announced that he thought something had affected my mind.

With that I was unceremoniously escorted to see one of the healers, while Runa gripped an angry Kirara by the scruff so she could not harm anyone else. She was so distressed by this that she seemed to forget that she could transform herself into a mist. The healer examined me after Irabeth used her enchanted item again to block my access to magic. He first asked what I had experienced during the past days, and while I sat in a state of confusion Jiro narrated the events that had occurred within the dungeon of Citadel Drezen. When he finished giving these details, the healer stated that he believed I had a psychosis, which could be relieved by a powerful healing spell.

Much of what happened above I describe not from my own recollection but from what my friends told me afterward. My own thoughts were disordered and it seemed to me that my friends had become enemies. Kirara's thoughts were as troubled as mine. After the healer cast his spell my thoughts became more clear and Kirara also recovered, but I still felt troubled. I made my way to the garden Jiro had created to meditate while my friends took care of other business.

On my way to the garden I overheard two paladins discussing how much the garden had grown. Upon my arrival there I found that it was two-thirds larger than it had been previously, and a small treant had appeared and set itself as a sentinel over the space. I sat down against the tree and let my thoughts dwell on the pleasures of nature and the comforts of the tree trunk's solid bulk against my back and Kirara's warm fur in my lap.

While I meditated, Jiro arranged for a stonemason to make a memorial stone for Shim to be placed in the garden, and visited a priest who was familiar with fighting the undead to learn better how to channel positive energy to harm such creatures. Runa sought out the quartermasters to ask if they had acquired any magical items capable of increasing a person's wisdom, so that she might avoid being robbed of volition by the demon a second time.

That afternoon the vigil for Shim's spirit was held. Before it began, Irabeth mentioned to all of us that afterward she wished to introduce us to a new arrival in the camp who had come a very long way in search of our group.

The vigil was an inspiring one, for though Shim had told us he had once lost the respect of many warriors through an error he made, he had gained much respect and admiration from the Crusaders for his devotion to defeating the demonic invaders. His talents will be sorely missed.

Shim

When the vigil concluded, we followed Irabeth to a tent where we found a pale, white-haired young elf awaiting us. I observed that some of his garments were made in the style of clothing known in Tian Xia. After introducing himself as Zero Geass, he explained that as a child he had become separated from his family and had been rescued by a cloaked woman whose face he had never seen, who wore the holy emblem of the goddess Desna. Later in life Desna had visited him in dreams, showing him scenes of battle and advising him to seek the woman who had rescued him. Jiro questioned him further, prompting Zero to tell us that his family were traveling performers, and also that he was an archer of some skill. He further stated that he had brought gifts, items he had stumbled across on his long journey to Drezen.

Zero Geass

These gifts proved to be an eclectic assortment of objects, which Zero told us he had primarily found on the bodies of those who were already dead when he came upon them. These things included a bottle that when opened would cover the opener with the thick warm fur of a yeti, a pocket that would produce an endless supply of cigars - which curiously went missing very shortly afterward - an oil of light, an archon's torch, and a wand that would allow a person to read magical texts. But most interesting of all to Jiro and I was a tree token that was identical to those the tree-woman had left for us after we freed her. This Zero said he had found not long after the mysterious woman saved him.

After learning of Zero's archery skill, I recalled that in my quiver I had been carrying five arrows enchanted with holy power which I had found when we were in the subterranean caverns beneath Kenabres. It seemed to me that if Zero meant to aid us as he said he intended, he could make much better use of those arrows than I. I presented them to him.

Zero also revealed that he had found a headband which could improve the wearer's intellect, and in addition would grant the wearer greater knowledge of the faiths of the world. Zosta had only just given a similar headband to one of the magecrafters so that its innate skill could be reworked into religious knowledge, as she had recently developed a burning desire to know more about religions. Instead she accepted the headband Zero had brought, while Jiro let the crafters know that they did not need to alter the other headband and I asked if I could use it myself.

Headband of Vast Intelligence

Though I would be unable to fully attune myself to my new headband for another day and night, we decided that we should return to the dungeon the following morning, before the shadow demon could summon more reinforcements or make other defensive preparations.

The next day when we prepared to re-enter the Citadel, Jiro explained to us that he had decided to summon a different spirit to aid him than the spirit of life he usually allies himself with. Instead he chose a more martial spirit that could grant boons to all of us if we remained close together with Jiro and one another. This meant that Jiro would not be able to use his link to our lifeforces to absorb part of any wounds we suffered, for that is a talent he gains only from the spirits of life.

Runa had also made a change in preparation for this battle: she had attached the pennon she had acquired some time ago to the back of her armor. The pennon's enchantment would grant her greater abilities once each day at her command.

We climbed down the now-familiar stairs once again to reach the ritual chamber with its polluted pool where we had battled Chorussina. Beyond it we made our way through what had been a hidden entrance, until we came to a large circular room where a statue of a marilith rose from a dark pit. Two walkways on different levels ringed this pit. We realized that the statue likely represented Aponavicius, the marilith we had heard of who commanded the forces holding Drezen.

Aponavicius

As our group warily entered this chamber, myself and Zero bringing up the rear, we had a closer view of the statue of Aponavicius. She bore a different weapon in each of her six hands, many of them weapons that would be exotic here in the West. We realized that the base of the statue rested some ten feet lower than the bottom ledge, although we could not see the surface on which it sat. Jiro scanned the statue for any magical aura but found none.

As Runa made her way to the set of double doors on the opposite side of the circular chamber behind the statue, a pulse of purple energy emanated from the statue. Runa abruptly fell over the edge of the ledge and dropped into the pit out of sight. Zosta recognized by Runa's reaction before falling she must have been pushed by something. Just as this realization came to her another pulse of energy came from the statue and Zosta felt some force push against her from behind, though it didn't succeed in pushing her off the ledge.

Runa shouted from below that something shapeless was attacking her, but still none of us could actually see her or what was in the pit wit her. Jiro flew down toward her. I called out to her to ask her if she was well, and she responded that the floor of the pit, which we could not see, was covered with a green slimy substance. It was too slippery for her to climb up out of the pit.

Green slime

Zero began to sing, heartening us all with his tune as Nurah had done when we first left Kenabres. But just as he began his song, he too was knocked into the pit. He vanished through what appeared to be the floor. Zosta responded by tying a rope around her waist and dropping it into the pit. The end of the rope disappeared beyond the "floor." Realizing it must be an illusion, I attempted unsuccessfully to dispel it.

Jiro called out that fire would destroy the slime. He apologized profusely to Runa and Zero and summoned a column of fire that descended from the level of the lower ledge down beyond the illusory floor to scour away some of the slime. This unfortunately destroyed part of Zosta's rope, but with the slime gone Runa and Zero were able to clamber up out of the pit and rejoin the rest of us on the upper ledge before the double doors.

As we were sadly without Shim's skills at handling locks and recognizing traps, Zosta took on the role of examining the doors for traps. She found nothing, and Runa then pushed open both doors. The chamber beyond was completely dark, a darkness that the light of lamps and torches could not penetrate. Only Zosta was able to see through this blackness. She told the rest of us that she saw not one but three shadow demons at the far end of the chamber, standing in front of a marble plinth on which lay a crumpled piece of fabric. Between the demons and the doors stood several shadows.

Shadow demon

Shadow

At that moment Zosta felt another push similar to what she had experienced on the ledge. The shadows began to approach us. A second push sent Runa tumbling back into the pit. Zero began to sing again as Zosta raised her fists to bludgeon the shadows with her enchanted knuckles, which she had prepared so they would be able to strike creatures that have no solid flesh. I called a circle of protection into being around us that would prevent any shadows summoned by the demons from approaching within arm's reach. following that with a bubble to protect us from some magic. Jiro also cast a spell, extended a brilliant glow that defeated much of the darkness, though it could not reach quite to the far end of the chamber. He also activated a special ability he had learned from his spirit, which would grant us all certain advantages so long as we remained in close proximity with one another.

Three shadows flew up toward the ceiling and passed over my magical wards to descend into the pit and attack Runa. I could not see what happened due to the illusion of a floor hiding the actual floor of the pit, but Runa described through her bone ring that a burst of holy energy had destroyed all three shadows. Three more shadows appeared before Zosta, and the demons vanished. Zero slew one shadow and Zosta eliminated another. The demons reappeared behind us. I sent an anchor of force at one of them, but it failed to penetrate.

Jiro flew down into the pit and cast a spell of flight on Runa to allow her to ascend from the pit. The three demons charged at us, clawing and biting Runa just after she landed on the ledge again. I reached out to the celestial realm to bring a lantern archon to give us aid, instructing it to help Runa first. Runa expended a bit of her special power to allow all of us to step forward while remaining within my wards. The archon moved to Zosta, while Runa took another step forward to attack and slay another shadow. The demons again turned on us, then vanished.

Lantern archon

Zero eliminated another shadow, and Jiro decided to move into the center of the chamber while the demons were gone and take a closer look at the fabric on the plinth. He cast his light spell again to illuminate it. Then he reached out telekinetically to lift the cloth and bring it to him. It appeared to be a large banner that had been crumpled heedlessly on the marble slab.

A pulse of energy filled the chamber, this time clearly positive. From behind me I heard a voice cry out, "No!" Runa strode across the room to meet Jiro. The three demons appeared behind me, unfazed by my wards, but one of them for unknown reasons disappeared into the nearby wall, leaving only two of them to attack me.

Next: part 50, Redemption