Above & Below

(Are there any restrictions on Kurama or is he back to normal (though battered))

Effort attempts to Hellish Rebuke Wendel, but as she is stumbling over she feels her body go tingly. Everything goes black for a moment, and when Burik brings her to, she realizes she can't move at all. (Paralysis = Incapacitation = no reactions)

Kurama, no restrictions! You've successfully fought off the paralysis. 

(Woo!)

Gasping for breathe, Kurama takes a moment to quickly survey the chaotic scene happening around him.  Seeing "Wendel" still fighting he manages to get back on his feet, and seemingly syncing up with the energy inside of himself for a moment, launches a wild barrage at the enemy!

Attack: 23 Damage: 8

Flurry of Blows Attack #1: 16 Damage: 8

Flurry of Blows Attack #2: 14 Damage: 7

(Using another Ki point to use Flurry of Blows)

Kurama, finish him!

As Kurama reached forward with the energy, the amorphous forms seemed to congeal, just for a moment, into a shape vaguely reminiscent of a massive palm.  As it hit "Wendel", whatever was inside of him that kept him together shattered as he was launched into the air and rammed into the cavern wall with a loud thud before crumpling into a heap on the floor.

The tenseness from the fight still hangs in the air, but things go quiet. Bodies and pools of blood litter the room, and Effort lies motionless on the ground as Cadmael hops and flaps in a panic at her head. Promise, a male tiefling with charcoal gray skin and curved, black horns, runs back into the other room that he had emerged from. A moment later he comes back, kneeling next to Effort with a handful of small vials and bandages. He whispers something, pouring one of the vials into his hand and pressing down onto her wounds. A few seconds later, her leg twitches, and she slowly begins to feel the muscles in her body. She wiggles her hands and feet, and slowly sits up. Promise smiles a relieved smile.

Burik reaches up and puts a hand on Kurama's shoulder. "Well done, lad." He casts Cure Wounds at a second level, healing the monk for 13 HP.

"Thank you Burik." Kurama coughs out after receiving some of the Dwarf's healing.  Then turning to the tiefling that had joined them in the fray he asks, "So I'm assuming your Promise?  You're a very hard man to find."  

Effort recovers from the paralysis slowly, her vision swimming.  She pats Cadmael on the head to calm him down while sitting up.  

"Promise?" she says, looking up at her friend.  "You're alive after all."  A smile breaks out, and she throws her arms around the other tiefling.  "Idiot!  What the hell is going on here?  Why are they after you?!" she yells, pounding his back none-too-gently with a closed fist, despite the hug.

Promise nods at Kurama, about to speak when Effort shoots up and embraces him.

He hugs back, just holding her for a moment before acknowledging her questioning and pounding. "Haha, okay, okay." He pulls back and smiles, a look of both concern and gratitude. "I'm still alive...somehow. I'm not even sure where to begin with everything that's been going on. I assume you know some...? You must if you've made it here to me. I...I've known for a long time that I had some powerful magic within me, and I've been studying and harnessing it to the best of my ability. I tried to keep it a secret but of course, that never seems to work for very long. Some of the gang found out, and then some of Gorta, and then some of Oshait, I suppose."

Standing up and holding Effort's hand, he begins to lead you all into the room that had been previously sealed off. In it, another long stone room, except this one has strange pillars at the far end. They're filled with etchings - runes, you suppose - that look ancient. The air is filled with an unrecognizable energy. It's like nothing any of you have felt before. On the ground, two huge runes are dug out. One on each side of the pillars. You see dust and chips of stone laying around the runes, along with some tools that look somewhat more modern.

"Effort, this is going to sound crazy, but I...I had a very powerful dream," Promise continues. "A deep, strange voice wanted my help. And it said in return it would offer me even more power. But I declined the offer. I awoke, but the next night I had the same dream. And I continued to decline until the voice became rather...annoyed, I guess. But I knew I was already on a path to become whatever I was going to be. I didn't need any help. I didn't want any help. And then the voice mentioned...well, it mentioned you, Effort. It said you had a part to play in all this as well, and you would have to choose sides the same as I would. Have you all read or heard about the other worlds that exist? Heaven, hell, the abyss? Long story short - very long story - the demons in the abyss could never really get anywhere because they were always sabotaging one another. Only reason they couldn't take over the other worlds. Well, after countless ages it seems as though two demons have come to some kind of understanding - or whatever most closely approximates that in the abyss. One controls the gnolls - an angry, sadistic beast. The other is named Doresain, ruler of the ghouls and undead. They fought each other once, but came to realize the futility of their station if they were to keep fighting one another. And so, now they are staging an assault on the other worlds. But it's not so simple for them. They need power beyond their own imaginations...unfortunately, that power does exist. And it exists here, within Oshait."

He gently pets Cadmael under the chin. "The old legends of this world are no metaphors. There is a piece of an actual devil lodged within our world. What was once the most powerful of all these things. And the demon lords want it. What nobody else seems to know yet...at least as far as I can tell, is that someone in hell knows about this plot and is trying to stop it. They know that if the demons are able to escape, they can take over everything. The mortal realms will only contain them for so long before they spill into hell and beyond. I believe the devil that has figured this all out is the one who reached out to me in my dream. And he knows you, Effort. He knows of your companions, as well. He...he led me to this, and asked that I give it to you."

Promise extends a silver rod, about eighteen inches long, adorned with tiny, meticulous skulls running the length of it. It feels heavy in your hand as you accept it, Effort. And powerful. Rod of the Pact Keeper, +1

"I didn't want to help at all, but he convinced me that this would help keep you alive. He also told me that the only hope we have is to destroy this devil's heart. Obviously we can't get to the middle of Oshait to do it, but echoes of this heart exist in other worlds on top of ours, and underneath it. And so that's where this voice says we must go - to destroy the hearts both above and below."

He gestures to the runes etched in the ground. "That's what I've been working on...a way to visit these other worlds. This rune here represents the ghoul king. And this one, the devil. But I've yet to find the right markings for Yeenoghu. The spell I've been focusing all of my energies on needs a very distinct purpose...and the powers of these beings is too great to be left out. I also...well, this isn't an exact science. I don't know what this spell will open up. The depths of Whitehold have a strange connection to these other worlds, but how to access each of them individually...I'm not sure any mortal knows that."

Finally you sense a bit of frustration as he finishes, crossing his arms as he observes the etchings and the various magic items strewn about the room. He look up with a reserved smile and seems to shake that off momentarily, though, going up to each of you and shaking your hands. "A pleasure to meet you all. I can't thank you enough for helping my friend Effort arrive just on time."

Effort takes the rod carefully and examines it.  It hums with power, reaching out to her and whispering promises of even more power.  "I... thank you," she says after a moment, taking the wand and running her hand over it carefully.  After listening to Promise's story, she frowns in thought.

"We've crossed paths with these cultists many times over... and yet I'm having difficult recalling if we've ever seen any specific symbol or emblem which I could understand associated with them.  Perhaps searching the bodies of these fools who attacked us might lead to something."  She pauses, then hesitantly reaches into her pack and pulls out a cloth-wrapped dagger.  "In fact, this might also be of some help.  I stripped one of the cultists of this dagger in my first encounter with them, and have been carrying it with me ever since.  I know only that it is steeped in evil, and nothing more.  But perhaps you could use it as a link to help scry for this missing puzzle piece you so search for."

She looks at the others.  "I can't really say I'm happy to be told that this is a journey that will send me to both the heavens and the hells.  I did not really think I was going to either of those places, even if I died, much less in my lifetime.  Still... they need to be stopped.  As long as they make the common people fearful of those who look like us, they will be my prey." 

Her eyes light, and she turns to Promise once more.  "Oh, and speaking of prey.  Namar is dead, finally.  Though that idiot Euphoria still pretends at ruling the tieflings in Gorta."

Promise considers the news of Namar. Something resembles a smile comes over his face, but he doesn't seem to take much joy in it. "That's good. He was a disease upon that city. Although I suppose Euphoria will spread his own ailments now."

"The other worlds I refer to...while heaven and hell and this chaos known as the abyss are all included...these worlds that sit above and below our own are something different. They are like echoes of our own world. Well, strange, distant echoes. Apparently one is a place filled with exuberant energy and magic and colors...and the other is devoid of all those things." He takes the dagger, holding it up to examine it. Turning it over, he notices the rune carved into it. Shaking his head, he looks up. "Well, I guess this was just meant to be. Anyone care to help me chisel this into the stone over there?"

Everyone soaks all this in. Pip steps up besides Brask and, tilting his head toward him, whispers, "Are...are we going to one of these worlds?"

OOC: At least you remembered the dagger, even if you didn't remember it had a rune, haha!

No, says Brask flatly.  Well, not unless we're getting paid well.  Really well.  We're gonna need a lot more than some vague promise of future payment from some guy half a world away.

Oh, and nice story, he says to Promise.  Sounds like a load of bullshit.  And I should know, he adds laughing.  He looks at Effort, Kurama and Burik.  What?  You're not buying this crap, are you?

Look, he says to Pip, it's like this.  The world always needs saving.  The kingdom's always about to fall.  The hordes are always upon us.  The powerful and wealthy always want volunteers to stand and fight for life and freedom and all that crap.  And at the end, the world gets saved, the kingdom doesn't burn, and it turns out the powerful and wealthy men are still in charge, because you see they didn't use up any of their power and wealth on the fight.  No, they had gullible fools to do that for them.  They kept all their power and money to make sure they were still in charge at the end of it.  He spits on the ground.  Tell me why we should save this world for free.

"After all you've seen," Burik responds, "you still question how important this all is? Demons spilling into this world, killing innocents. Killing our friends and family, wherever they might be. Enough of a reason for me. Besides, we seem to be finding a bit of coin along the way. More than I've known before this journey."

Pip considers both sides of the argument. "Sure does always look the same, though. I never saw a king or ruler that didn't look like all the others."

"No argument from me on that front," Promise joins in. "But this isn't some war between two countries that want more fertile land. This is a war that may undo...everything. Existence. I don't know what that looks like. Hard to wrap my head around. But it doesn't sound very fun."

Effort crosses her arms.  "Humph.  Speak for yourself, for I fully plan on toppling the order of this world.  I have always intended that right from the start.  Wealthy humans in charge of everything? Pfaugh!  It is about time the demi-humans grasped the reins of power for themselves, and I am just the woman to do that.  What I need is both power and loyalty to achieve my goals, and thus far I seem to have grasped onto the beginnings of both.  So I will continue on this path, regardless of the rewards promised.   

And what is a reward, anyway?  I am no dog, performing tricks for some meagre form of praise.  Hah!  I will receive nothing.  No, if I want something, then I will take it with my own hands.  Rely on yourself and your own power, and there will never be a 'master' who can disappoint you," she growls, her eyes blazing with conviction.

Kurama takes a long time to ponder on everything he's heard before responding, scribbling notes furiously as does so.  After reviewing them for a bit he'll walk over the runes on the ground and examine them to see if he recognizes any of the three symbols (Arcana?: 22).  Turning back to Promise, his demeanor seemingly changed for the moment, he'll comment,  "That is quite the interesting story Promise.  Though I must ask, why should we take everything you've just said as truth?  You say that you've received help from some sort of entity that you've made a deal with but how do you know you're not being used for some nefarious purpose, or are an active part in whatever events threaten Oshait?  I watched my home be destroyed by a man who made a deal with a being and it consumed him... changed him into something worse than he once was and I made a promise to all who were lost that day to find him and stop him."  Pausing to touch the tattoo that was burned into his skin during the chaos that day he eventually continues, "I want to believe you, but I know first what kind of mayhem beings like that can cause, I'm living proof of that, and I will not be a pawn again in someone else's evil plot."  He then looks to the others to see if anyone else  agrees with him.

"Oh, do not mistake me," Promise turns to Kurama. "I made no deal. I was clear about that when the voice spoke to me. And he, or it, very may well be trying to use us...but thusfar, he has only told me the truth. About where to find certain things...both knowledge and items of power." He nods toward the rod he just handed to Effort. "If this thing is really fighting off demons, well, I figure it can't be all bad to go along for a bit, right? I can always change my views and actions later, but for right now, stopping the end of the world kind of seems important."

Burik nods solemnly in agreement. He pulls out an axe, ready to help in the work of etching the final rune.

As Effort growls her pronouncement, Pip takes a startled step back from her. He looks around at the others to gauge their reaction and nervously nods and shrugs his shoulders.

Kurama, you only vaguely recognize one of the runes, but you can't place it or recall anything else about it. 

"I suppose you make a fair point then Promise.  And as you're the only lead I have for the moment I guess I have no choice but to follow your plan for the time being.  I will say though to be very careful of the forces you believe you are currently "on your side"; loyalties can change very quickly."  Kurama replies back to Promise.

Kurama pointedly does not comment or react to Effort's comments, painfully aware of his status as the only human in the bunch.  Well that is a bit of a different side of her that I've not seen before, Kurama thinks to himself, though I've not known her for very long so perhaps the others already knew that about her.  Seeing Pip's reaction though does not have him convinced.

Brask raises an eyebrow at Effort's speech.  Huh.  Well then, I guess I'm in.  Could be fun.  So long as no-one tries to stop me profiting.   What about you, Pip?  

Brask can sense some trepidation on Pip's part, but he impressively doesn't hesitate long before nodding. "If you all are going, I'm going."

Burik slaps Brask on the back as if to say You're making the right call without actually saying it. He goes to work helping Promise etch the final rune into the stone.

It's hard work, and at one point Promise takes a break to pace around the room, holding out his hands and turning them over, as if he's feeling something. He makes his way over to Effort and smiles, but puts a firm hand on her shoulder. "Sister, listen to me. Your anger can be powerful, I know. But you need to use it. Don't let it use you. I know you'll know what's right when it comes to it." He looks down, and then back up into her eyes. "Damn, it's good to see you again." He pushes away from her shoulder in a playful manner and goes back to work.

Once the decision has been made to assist in the etching of the last rune, lets them begin without him while he checks the remains of the cultists and ghoul to see if there's any valuable information that they may have on them. (Investigation roll if needed: 19) (OOC: I don't think we looted the bodies but if we already did feel free to ignore this part).  Once that been done, Kurama joins Promise and the others in sketching the last ruin into the ground; his initial unease at some of Promise's revelations temporarily fading away for the time being as his curiosity about what is to come gets the better of him.