>>873636
booyah

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Alan Rodain was born the third son of a minor merchant family in the port town of Basye within the Republic of Ceril. Destined by station and birth for an unremarkable life, he signed up with the Cerilian Army alongside his childhood friend Tobias, intent on defending his homeland from the aggressive Kardas Empire's attempts at reconquest and to earn himself glory on the battlefield.

Quickly proving himself in his combat training as an excellent horseman, Alan joined the ranks of the Cerilian cavalry and was stationed in the Muller Mountains on the border between the Republic of Ceril and the Kardas Empire. There he learned the realities of war, participating in enough skirmishes, battles and ambushes to earn himself a Captain's rank and a kill count in the hundreds – a fact that plagues his conscience to this day.

Pious in his youth, Alan lost his faith in The Great Will during his tour of duty, after being the sole survivor of an event known to Cerilians everywhere as “The Skullcracker Pass Ambush”. The greatest singular battlefield victory for the Kardas Empire in the Muller Mountain theater of war, an entire contingent of Cerilian cavalry was surprised, surrounded and eradicated by Kardassian musketeers. Among those slain was Tobias, who sacrificed his last moments of life ensuring Alan's survival of the massacre. Hiding for hours under the bodies of his compatriots, Rodain emerged from the carnage drenched in blood before Cerilian reinforcements. His grisly appearance and subsequent merciless conduct in the battles to follow earned him an almost legendary reputation in the military and the nickname, "The Red Rider".

While still on the front lines, Alan received an official visit from a knight by the name of Renault, who offered Alan a chance to participate in a covert operation advertised as a secret weapon to leverage against the Empire. An Island lost to time – a place of magic and monsters – where loyal citizens of the Republic recognized to possess 'potential' could flourish, that had recently been discovered in the Patrucian Ocean. Leaping at the shadow of a chance to change the tide of this conflict, Alan traveled to Ceril's southern coast to board a ship headed into the same tropical region Alan was once expected to peddle the wares of his father.

Accompanied and trained by Sir Renault on the journey there, Alan was informed of a unique ability he possessed which aids him in mastering a variety of skills and talents in a very short time frame. A power, Renault believed, would be unshackled and emphasized upon reaching the Island's shores.

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Accompanied and trained by Sir Renault on the journey there, Alan was informed of a unique ability he possessed which aids him in mastering a variety of skills and talents in a very short time frame. A power, Renault believed, would be unshackled and emphasized upon reaching the Island's shores.

Alan was not expected to take on this monumental task of investigating and utilizing the Island's mystical properties alone, however. He was to work together with a group of six other individuals also heading South on behalf of Renault and the Republic.

Gabby – a foul-mouthed, hard-drinking convicted murderer with a short temper and a skillful mastery of the martial arts.

Kyra – a quiet, terse thief prone to subtle mischief, lone wolf tactics and a reluctantly passionate love of dance.

Dolah Ornatheon – a half-orc paladin of the Church of the Great Will who strictly adheres to the tenets of her personal moral code and the overarching teachings of her religion, yet still somehow manages to maintain a mockingly dry sense of humor.

Rowena Roy – A half-elven scout for the Cerilian army possessing a history of military achievements roughly as tragic, gruesome and inclined to self flagellation as your own. Rowe for short.

Quissonce – An elven street magician whose many decades of wandering and arcane study had led her to realize that even if magic did exist she couldn't use it and thus decided to pair her immense wealth of knowledge to well-practiced chicanery in a concerted effort to be the most convincing charlatan she possibly could.

Eve Rexton – a high-pitched, excitable gnome with unusual features, unusual talents, unusual beliefs, unusual ancestors and with seemingly no filter for her thoughts whatsoever.

Together, these seven individuals traversed the perilous waters to find a landmass that unlocked within them a plethora of powers they could only have dreamt up in their wildest imaginations. Super strength, magic, invigorated senses, communion with forces of nature and the very Gods themselves. And the fantasy land they had stumbled into matched the fantastical limits of their newfound might.

Seaside, a Cerilian colony run directly under the control of a government Overseer by the name of Blackburn, required the aid of these adventurers to ensure the forward movement of progress in discovering the secrets of this Island that seemed straight out of story books detailing what the world was like in the ancient times.

>>873701
>Those names and descriptions

Ohhhhhh boy. What are we getting into Trick?

FIERK YAUH

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Beset upon on all sides by fantastical beasts, insidious shapeshifters, tribal species both feral and friendly, demons, devils, elementals, undead and dragons – none of these threats seem more deadly than the two great forces that seem to contest the very survival of Seaside.

The Master – an unknown figure native to the Island who commands the respect of various evil forces and has successfully corrupted many Cerilian colonists with the seductive lure of forbidden power to undermine the city from within while he coordinates his forces in assaulting the place from without.

The Kardas Empire – The nation of Ceril's counterpart. Kardassian forces have covertly established an outpost upon the Island as well under the noses of Seaside's residents. Under control by a brutal Orcish warlord entitled 'The General', they field their own roster of super-powered individuals and mercenaries. Having allied with a powerful red dragon, the previously subtle competition between the two forces has escalated to an all-out race for resources, power and the secret to bringing the magical nature of the Island off its shores and to their respective countries so as to decisively claim victory in the war back on the Mainland.

Throughout all this Alan has also made progress prying into both the extent and source of his powers – often to almost disturbing realization. Not only can he master skills quickly – but he can also copy the powers, qualities and abilities of others which he can then permanently employ. This 'Assimilation' power, as it has been dubbed, is apparently unique to Alan and is believed by many of those creatures that originate from realms outside the Material Plane – like devils, demons and angels – to be indicative of some monstrous force that will destroy the multiverse.

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Alan has made many friends, both native and foreign, on his adventures. But the most notable, dynamic and developed of these ties must be his romantic entanglement with Rowe . . . and Gabby. Having bonded with his archer ally, their similar pasts drew them to each other and this mutual understanding bloomed into a full-on relationship. However, an extended series of passionate verbal and physical exchanges with Gabby, often explosive and emotional, transitioned over time from friendly rivalry to undeniable sexual attraction. Alan contended with these conflicting feelings for some time before a series of events led to the only possible resolution that would end with nobody heartbroken – a freshly consummated threesome.

Which was promptly ruined when a rogue angel with a desire to please its patron – The Great Will – issued an order to all the faithful worshipers of Seaside to murder Alan Rodain for his status as an 'abomination'. This unfortunate divine command led to the accidental murder of his first beloved, Rowe. Thankfully, however, Alan sacrificed his holy symbol – the object that allows him to channel divine magic and the last remaining memento he possessed to remember his childhood friend Tobias by – to repair her body. This, combined with resuscitation efforts by Gabby, brought her back to life.

Reunited, but horribly shaken by how close to losing a good friend they had all come, Alan gathered most of his team to summon an angel and question it for information so as to resolve the issue of this hit job disguised as divine proclamation.

>>874177
>>874186

What all do we know about our Mega Man power? Why do people think its going to blow up the multiverse?

>the only possible resolution that would end with nobody heartbroken

So we're not into any commitment? Just fuck buddies?

>>874207
>Why do people think its going to blow up the multiverse?

IIRC

Extrapolating from our current abilities, it's theorized that we could assimilate and copy all the things in the universe and encompass all of existence in ourselves. which may or may not spell doom for heaven and hell and other places when we get too powerful to be contained by them.

>So we're not into any commitment? Just fuck buddies?
More than that. We were in a committed relationship with Rowe and we've just added Gabby to it. Add on that the relationship levels for both girls are 17 (compared to 9 or 10 with the rest of the group)

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There is suddenly a great flash from the center of the Circle and before you appears the angel.

He looks much like a man, muscular and lean. The wings, the flaming greatsword wielded in both its hands and the glowing eyes are the only distinguishing physical features signaling he is more than human. Although he holds himself with an inhuman posture and the regal authority befit only for a king.

“Why have I been summoned to this plane?!” his booming voice demands, the words boring into your skull as his wings flap once imperiously, the ensuing gust of wind so powerful it almost threatens to push you back.

Dolah steps forward. “We have brought you here to ask for your help. Another of your kind acts opposite to the intentions of The Great Will.”

“You mortals claim to know our Father's intentions better than one of my kind? ARROGANCE!”

Dolah grimaces. “We have it on the good authority of another that The Great Will has not given this order –”

“THE GREAT WILL HAS NOT SPOKEN IN A MILLENNIA! YOU PRESUME TO KNOW HIS DESIRES?!”

She recoils.

“He wouldn't order the death of a member of the flock who committed no crime," she points out. "This angel is clearly violating the tenets of our Faith.”

“YOU SPEAK FALSELY!”

“No she doesn't,” Desden comments quietly, his expression disapproving. “And you know that.”

The angel turns on him. “You dare accuse –”

“Yes. I do.”

“I –”

“You're a liar. Stop lying.”

The angel glares silently. You all stand tensely in a silence violated only by a heavenly emanating thrum that pierces the pocket universe and the beating of the angel's wings.

“What do you want?”

“Can you have this angel declared unreliable in the eyes of the faithful and your own kind.”

He shakes his head somberly. “Hadraniel ranks above me. Above us all. His word would be believed before mine own. He is also the only one with access to the minds of all true believers.”

“Why does Hadraniel want me dead?”

“You are Assimilation. You will usurp The Great Will and all his powers unless you are stopped.”

“But you don't believe that, do you?” Desden asks.

“. . . This declaration was too heavy-handed. Driven by . . . ulterior desires.”

“What ulterior motives?”

“Hadraniel believes your death will bring The Great Will back to us. It is a . . . mollifying idea, even if it is a blind hope.”

“Do servants of Other Gods share Hadraniel's belief?”

“I do not know.”'

>>874399
hey, Trick, maybe we could ask this angel about the one Rowe saw on the other side?

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“Who serves the Looming Shadow?” you ask.

“Idiots.”

Desden laughs.

“Who is the god of pure order? And the god of pure neutrality? The gods of pure good and pure evil?”

“The god of order is The Final Arbiter – who guides the deceased to their proper resting place. The god of neutrality is The Eternal Seeker – who pursues knowledge and information purely for its own sake. The god of altruism is The Indomitable Conviction – who is not swayed from the true path by obstacles nor selfish desires. Of pure selfishness? There is none but Assimilation..”

“So what is Assimilation?” you ask. “Is it one of the Gods as well?”

“As powerful as one. But it differs. Made of a substance far fouler and more sinister. The gaping wound on the flesh of the universe. An open, infinite hole of darkness that seeks to widen so all falls inside into it, doomed to nonexistence.”

“But how will my death bring the Great Will back if the Great Will hasn't been talking to his angels for a millennia?”

“The permanent removal of such a stain – the only blot capable of slaying our Father – is thought to be deemed an act so pious it will end The Great Will's long silence. He will speak to his children once again.”

“How much support does Hadraniel have for this idea? Will all of the angels follow him even if they disagree?”

“Hadraniel is the general of our armies. The most powerful of those who remain. And the last left to speak for those who yearn to hear. Doubt is overcome by devotion. Uncertainty by loyalty. Dissent by love. He has our support, thought not our sword arms. A general conducts a war. But only a leader may declare it.”

“Where is Hadraniel so I can pay him a visit?”

The angel's face sours. “Heaven.”

Dolah shrugs. “Well, we can't exactly reach him –”

“No, we can get there,” Quissonce comments nonchalantly. “Ms. Helbot can shift planes. I know Hadraniel's name, so I can scry him. We can go to Heaven and kick his ass.”

“I take issue with so many elements of what you just said,” Desden sighs out as he shakes his head.

You look back towards the angel. “Is there any way I can get Hadraniel to come down here so we can 'speak' face to face?”

For a few long moments that ever present buzz of holy power envelops the space in the absence of any other noise. The angel casts its gaze up straight into the featureless sky of white, floating in place with a much calmer beat of its immaculate wings.

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“At the site of your worship, you may utter his name and draw him to this world if he wishes to appear. But it will be only to slay you. To cross blades with Hadraniel is to cross blades with Death itself.”

Dolah grunts her dissatisfaction with that answer. “We'd have to return to the Church then. By now its crawling with parishioners who are half-scared out of their mind from what they heard they were ordered to do in the middle of the night tonight.”

Gabby shrugs. “At least we'd be on our turf rather than who knows what the fuck Heaven is like.”

Ed squints and then graces the monk with an incredulous look. “Its Heaven, Gabby.”

>Lets go to Heaven
>We should fight Hadraniel at the Church of Calloway
>Something else? (write-in)

>>874791
>>Something else? (write-in)
ask him about the angel Rowe saw.

See if we can get in contact with this person before we make any decisions about confronting Hadraniel.

Man I got my sleep schedule back on track at the exact wrong time. I'm passing out. Will update in the morning.

>>874801
Seconding

>>874791
Shit, I'm late.

>Something else?
Aside from asking about the God who brought Rowe back, have the angels of the Great Will conferred with the servitors of other good-aligned gods as to Assimilation and the Great Will's silence?

>>874801
>ask him about the angel Rowe saw.
You mean Gaea's Warden, the Goddess that told Rowe that the kill order out on Alan wasn't from the Great Will?

Honestly, guys, I don't think we should do this fight right now, because it IS going to be a fight if we summon Hadraniel.

We've expended our magic and we've lost our holy symbol, so we can't cast any divine spells.
We need to come up with a plan, and I doubt that Hadraniel is going to listen to our arguments.

>>874791

>>875388
Seconding

>>875397
Agreed. First, we need to make friends in high places who can cover us in case Hadraniel decides to get personal about things.

We should also find another object to be our symbol. Any ideas?

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“Have you conferred with the servitors of any other good-aligned Gods about Assimilation or The Great Will's silence?”

“All those with lives borne from the fabric of the Outer Planes know of Assimilation. No words need be spoken. As for our Creator, the actions of The Great Will are no concern of theirs. To seek their thoughts on His silence demonstrates a lack of faith in His wisdom.”

“Advertises weakness too,” Gabby comments.

“Incompetence,” Quissonce echoes, nodding.

“Kinda sounds like you all fucked up somehow,” Eve extrapolates.

“QUIET” The angel's rage is accompanied by a sudden surge in intensity from his golden glowing eyes and the crackling flames that run the length of his sizable blade. “I have endured enough pestering and disrespect from you mortals. Release me so I can return!”

“Wait!” you call out, as Dolah turns round to give the peanut gallery a chastising look. “There's another celestial figure from the Outer Planes who contacted one of us. That informed us of the truth of the situation. We want to get into contact with them.”

(Uhhhhh) Rowe's mind blurts out. You squint and cast a glance backwards towards where she stands, biting a fingernail nervously.

“My kind do not contact nonbelievers,” the angel speaks. “I am not your messenger, mortal.”

“That's fine,” Rowe speaks up, directly to the angel. “We won't need to bother you further, I don't think. Let him go,” she looks to Quissonce and Ed. They awkwardly look between you, Dolah and back to Rowe.

“I can contact . . . Her directly,” Rowe admits. A few seconds pass. “I think,” she qualifies. “Its not . . . uhhh, she offered once before. To . . . help.”

“When?” Gabby asks, taken back.

“Alan took a nasty blow from a giant on our hunting trip. I heard a . . . voice promising to help if I . . . let her in.”

“Let her in?” Dolah repeats, cocking her head slightly.

“Yeah, exactly. I ignored it at the time and forgot about it. Passed it off as one of those, y'know, weird thoughts. But it was the same exact voice – I'm sure of it – that I heard tonight.”

Ed shakes his head. “Noooooo, I had some pretty big reservations about binding an angel, I would not like to make that the second riskiest thing we've done tonight.”

“Sounds pretty fucking awesome to me!” Eve declares.

Ed points to the gnome. “Yeah. Exactly. See that. That's what I'm talking about.”

“We don't have to do it right here right now,” Rowe counters. “Get to the church, call up Hadra . . . the bad angel. And let Her go to town.”

Desden folds his arms and studies the features white void beneath him that constitutes the floor. Dolah's just squinting as she processes the last few exchanges of information. Gabby chews her lip.

>That idea is terrible
>That plan could work

>>875914
>That plan could work

>>875914
Let's move forward cautiously.

Can Rowe at least converse with her more, just to get a better idea of what's going on? Find out who she is, what she's looking for.

then we discuss what step to take next.

>>875936
>>875939
Switching to this

>>875914
>That plan could work
>but first, iron some things out
Like ask Dolah if it would be alright to bring in a different goddess into the church of the Great Will if it means correcting a misguided angel of said Great Will.
As Desden mentioned before, there are stories of angels making mistakes and misinterpreting the Great Will.

>>875914
>>875939
thirding.

Welcome back Trick.

>>875939
>>875914
Fourthing because I just woke up from a sugar coma. Didn't even know those were a thing.

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“It could work,” you admit, much to the eye-rolling and exasperated chagrin of your former roommate. “But there are a few issues with it.”

Ed scoffs. “Yeah. There certainly are. Like 'letting an unknown entity possess your girlfriend'.”

“Ed,” Quissonce softly calls his name, putting a hand on his shoulder.

You ignore the dissent for now and turn to Dolah. “Do you think it would be alright to bring another god into a church of the Great Will?”

“Uhhhhh,” Dolah utters as she racks her brain. “I . . . can't think of anything banning that specific situation mainly because I don't think anyone's ever thought of it.” She turns to her subordinate. “Desden?”

“All are welcome at the Great Will's table,” Desden recites. “No extenuating commands that exclude gods from that sentiment.”

You look to your lover. “Think you can converse with Her more? Get a better idea about all of this.”

Rowe stares at you a moment before nodding and steeling her posture some. (Uhhhhhh, hello?) she announces in her head. (Gaea?)

“Gaea's Warden,” you correct. Rowe establishes eye contact with you for but a moment before they drift back off to staring at nothing in particular in the void. All eyes in the mirror world are now glued to the half-elf's form.

(Gaea's Warden? If that's who you –)

(Hello Rowe. Hello Alan.)

(OH SHIT, uh, yea. Wow! So . . . that's right then?)

(Correct.)

(Good.) Rowe thinks, giving a thoughtful nod of her head as she gives everyone standing round a look to indicate the completely silent, mental conversation is bearing fruit. (So you offered to help before and I could really use some right now to deal with that angel. Hadra –)

(The abandoned puppy, yes. I can slay him permanently, even outside his domain, if you wish. You'll have to let me in though.)

(What does that entail?)

(I control your actions until I choose to stop. Your body should be able to handle it.)

(Should be?)

(Bowstrings snap. Swords chip. Axes dull. )

(So I'm just a tool then?)

(Tools don't have choices. )

(Why do you want to help? What's your ulterior motive?)

( . . . I have no hands with which to touch the world without your own.)

>Encourage Rowe to accept
>Discourage Rowe from accepting

>>878787
I'd like to use Desden to see if we can verify this, but he can't enter our telepathic link, can he?

I'm not seeing much alternative.
Hadraniel is a General of an Angelic Host; I'm assuming he's pretty high level.
And until we eliminate him, he'll keep sending faithful after us.

But, something concerns me about this arrangement.
Alan is still Assimilation, the one thing that the Heavens, Hells, and Abyss all agree on is anathema. What guarantee do we have that Gaea's Warden, after killing Hadraniel, won't turn her sights on Alan and use Rowe's body to do it?

We need assurances first.

>>878787
can we include Desden in the telepathic conversation to see if he can make sure she's not lying?

Failing that, could we assimilate Desden's lie detecting to do it ourselves?

We should probably explain to him regardless that we should make sure that celestial entities aren't going to screw us over.

>>878853
Preference is for Desden's consent in this case.

>>878787
Try to assimilate Desden's ability to detect lies, willingly of course. Then detect if Gaea's Warden is lying.

>>878853
Isn't that asking for too much? We're already having him overlook the fact that, even if the kill order from Hadraniel is a rogue order, the Heavens, all of the good-aligned Heavens, considers Assimilation and by extension Alan, to be an eldritch abomination that is a threat to all of existence and must be destroyed.

Just asking him could be like when you nearly got us into a fight with him when you proposed heresy within earshot of him.

>>878867
>Just asking him could be like when you nearly got us into a fight with him when you proposed heresy within earshot of him.

I thought that bit was just done for a bit of humor?

At any rate, the way Gaea has stated things does not fill me with confidence, and the only way to make sure (presumably) would be to have Desden's assistance.

If he refuses to assist, we can consider other options from there, but I want to explore what options we have so we don't get stabbed in the back or lose Rowe in the process.

>>878885
Gaea's Warden could just lie or tell half-truths. Or be completely honest now but change her mind later.
She IS chaotic.

>>878902
that is a problem.

And I don't really have much of a solution other than cursory lie detecting.

Also, does it have to be Rowe's body that gets possessed?

we may want to ask the mages how to exorcise a celestial entity from Rowe's body, should it ever need to pass.

>>878787
Since we need some concrete actions to take, first ask Gaea's Warden what things she's going to do before releasing Rowe's body.
Second, is she going to try to kill/contain/destroy Assimilation and/or Alan while she has control of Rowe.
I want to get some definite time limits out of Gaea's Warden.

>>878958
might as well ask her stuff while we have the time.

>>878958
>>878787
Going with this.

>>878958
This, sounds like she really wants to interact with the world and when she's done killing the angel she just might not stop possessing Rowe

>>878787
So, we need to ask her>>878958
while also getting Desden to help us check if she's lying to us at the moment, while having a backup plan of >>878930
in case >>879286
I am scared.

You tap your foot as you process all of that. Shaking your head, you realize you need even more context before agreeing to something this drastic. You slip off your ring of mental shielding and deposit it into your pocket.

(Can you hear me?) you think, projecting your words into Rowe's brain.

(Yes, Alan.)

(What are you going to do with Rowe's body after killing Hadraniel.)

(Nothing. I'll leave the moment it's finished.)

(That sounds rather charitable of you.) you remark.

(Well, its preferable to letting you get her killed again.)

(Ouch.) your mind blurts out of guilt, your instinctive wince at that jab drawing concerned expressions from your allies still out of the conversational loop.

(Woah, uncalled for!) Rowe thinks in your defense.

(I am not the God of mincing words.)

(If you take control of Rowe, are you going to try and kill or contain me?)

(That sounds like a surefire way to ensure I am never granted access again.)

(Sounds to me like you didn't answer the question.) Rowe retorts, folding her arms across her chest.

(No. Assimilation hasn't ended the world yet. I am more concerned with tangible threats. Ones actively threatening and harming life.)

You 'hmmm' in contemplation. After a few moments you take your ring and put it back on your ring finger. Looking over to Desden, his eyes light up as he waits on whatever it is you're about to say.

You cough once as you ponder on how to properly phrase this. “We've been talking with Gaea's Warden and I want to be sure She's . . . telling the whole truth. So I was wondering if you'd let me . . . assimilate your ability to detect if someone is lying.”

(I can still hear you, Alan.) She informs you, causing your blood to run cold for a moment as Rowe flinches.

“Well if . . . what's the matter?” Desden interrupts his train of thought as he notices you freezing up like a suspect caught in a lie.

(Its fine if you don't trust me. But you contacted me for help. I can leave if you wish, Rowe.)

“She's still talking, isn't She?” Desden asks.

(Wait! No, don't go.) Rowe replies. (It's just . . . you're asking for a lot here. How are we supposed to believe you?)

(Well some of my brethren peddle in this silly concept of faith. But I've never been the most orthodox in my conduct. I am giving you more than I have given anyone before. I watched and wept as you burned your own home to ash. And still I did not forsake you. If there was any other way for me to help you in this matter – any way for me to give you strength without taking roost within your flesh, I would.)

Moments of mental silence pass before She speaks again.

(Go ahead. I will repeat all I've said under further scrutiny.)

( . . . No. No, I believe you.)

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“Woah,” you speak up. “Rowe, wait.”

“I'm doing it,” she speaks aloud to inform everyone, talking over your concerns.

Ed moves forward. “Woah, hold up! We should talk about this at least. We're not in any rush right now.”

Gabby rolls her eyes. “I think we've talked enough. Fuck the gods. Quissonce open up a portal to Heaven. I'll beat this asshole's face in by myself.”

“Gabby that isn't how that works,” the elven wizard dismisses.

“Just tell the Goddess she can use my body instead,” Eve offers.

“That's probably not how that works, either!” Quissonce argues, the annoyance in her tone growing.

“Its not a good idea anyway,” Dolah comments.

“Not . . . entirely sure if my powers would work on a God,” Desden muses to himself.

“RELEASE ME!” The angel bellows impotently.

>I won't let you risk that for me, Rowe
>Lets go to Heaven
>Lets go to the church
>Something else? (write-in)

>>879849
>Lets go to the church
>Other
Dolah and Desden shoul get the church cleared out before we go.
Tell the Angel that we'll let him go after Hadraniel has been dealt with, unless he swears not to interfere with this. That includes warning Hadraniel that we're going to kill him.

>>879849
>>879904
We have no real alternative to beating Hadraniel.
He is unlikely to see our side of things, and won't stop trying to kill us.
Having a Goddess do the killing for us will bypass our inability to kill him.

Oh, wait. Would killing the general of His armies cause us to fall from the Great Will's grace?

>Write-in
Before anything else, let's ask if this course of action would cause the Great Will to frown on us.
Hadraniel has gone rogue, and is giving commandments in the Great Will's name that go against the Great Will's teachings.
We could ask Dolah and Desden in the context of a Faithful who has misinterpreted the teachings and is actively harming others. Maybe also the Angel if any angel who had misinterpreted an order and was doing harm had to be erased in the past; Hadraniel proves that angels are not infallible.
Gabby isn't going to like all this gabbing, but this is a major decision for everyone involved.

>>879939
seconding. This will be a crisis for the Church, let's not rush and fumble it

>>879939
>>879849
Aba de aba dis.

>>879849
Kill yourself and go back to westeros quest

Once outside the Queen's apartments with Viserys, Allant and five dothraki warriors, you take a moment to wrap your hand in an impromptu bandage. Allant leans against the wall, arms folded across his chest as he seems to silently brood.

“There aren't many Westerosi in Meereen,” Viserys muses in consideration of his sister's description.

“Not before today,” Allant counters, a hard glare in his eyes as he stares down the young man.

It takes the Targaryen claimant a moment to infer the accusation. A scowl forms on his lips as his eyes project offense.

“You can't possibly –”

“I can and I will consider any possibility until I have a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.”

“I thought you represented my interests.”

Allant shrugs in a piteous offering of reassurance. “I do. And right now its in your best interests if you allow my men to escort you to a room in the pyramid while I properly investigate.” Allant casts his glance over to where you stand. “That goes for you as well, William.”

>Sure
>You can't possibly think I'm responsible.
>Something else? (write-in)

>>879939
yes, first consult with Desden and Dolah about the ramifications of defeating/slaying Hadraniel.

>>879939
this

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You look to Dolah and Desden, your resident authorities on how far up the scale of blasphemy your potential plans are.

“Gaea's Warden, if we summon her, will kill Hadraniel right out,” you explain specifically. “No return to whatever Plane he originates from. Sent straight to nonexistence. The General of the Great Will's armies gone permanently, forevr. Would being responsible for that have us fall out of The Great Will's graces?”

Desden rubs his chin, the gears in his mind churning. “Hard to say if He hasn't spoken in millennia.”

“Well,” you reiterate. “Hadraniel is giving orders in The Great Will's name that go against his teachings. And it's actively harming innocent people in the process.”

“Undoubtedly,” Dolah concurs. “Hadraniel is in the wrong. I can feel that to be the truth. This isn't what The Great Will would desire. Slaying him does seem drastic however.”

You look to your bound angel. “Have others of your kind been destroyed for outright disobedience to your creator?”

“Cast out. Cast down. Never slain.”

“Maybe we shouldn't write off diplomacy altogether,” Dolah interjects with an offer. “If you give me a moment to try and speak sense to him, perhaps that will rectify the problem. Rowe can keep our ace in the hole prepared in case we absolutely need it. Is that possible?” Dolah looks to Rowe who nods wordlessly. “Good.”

>Alright let's head to Heaven
>Alright, Dolah and Desden go to the Church and clear it out
>Lets head to the Church together as a group
>Something else? (write-in)

>>882501
>Something else?
Hey, Angel, can you tell us anything about Hadraniel, how he thinks, what arguments might work to get him to pull this kill order on us?
Because we're trying to not have to kill him here, but he's not going to make this easy for us.

Any more information about Hadraniel that Dolah can get, is a better chance that we can come out of this without having killed a Heavenly General.

>>882523
Seconding

>>882576
>>882577
>>882579
>>882580
Sora stop being a faggot, honestly.

>>882501
>>Lets head to the Church together as a group
>>Something else? (write-in)
We may want to hash it out with Gaea's Warden that, if it comes down to a fight, we'd like for her to defeat Hadraniel, but not kill him, and that she not spontaneously take control of Rowe just to kill him while we're in the middle of discussion.

>>882725
How about no, since Gaea's Warden was pretty clear She intends to erase him from existence if it comes to a fight, and we stop pissing off the Goddess with stupid questions and requests?

>>882732
The problem is that if the fight does break out, the slaying of an angel, even a disobedient one, may have severe repercussions. It would be best to have the Warden's promise to simply defeat the angel rather than to kill him, if possible.

>>882523
Second.

>>882751
I mean, we can test the waters to see if an agreement can happen but some personality things make me have my doubts.

>>882751
She said that She is going to kill Hadraniel. If She was willing to let it go at simply defeating and containing him, She would have said so.
We're already starting to piss her off, so why are you so insistent on asking dumb questions that try Her patience?

>>882967
Because if we can do this without bloodshed, we should.

She didn't mention if the possibility of defeating the angel was out of the question, so I want to make sure if it is or not.

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“Listen,” you speak to the angel. “We don't want to have to kill Hadraniel here but he isn't leaving us with much of a choice in the matter. If we confront him and this comes to blows we'll have to call Her in and Gaea's Warden will not show restraint. Is there anything you can tell us about him and how he thinks so we can talk him down?”

The celestial being's wings flap twice in rapid succession as his nearly indecipherable expression shifts ever so subtly in consideration of your words.

“Hadraniel was created to be a weapon of war. To conduct the song of battle against our enemies. Destruction of evil is his purpose. It has been long since the last time he heard the call to enact his duty. Since any of us have. Conflict is his art and death is but a part of that. In truth, even if Hadraniel was to know his death was assured it would be unlikely to sway his judgment. He may even yearn for cessation..”

Gabby snorts. “Great. He's suicidal.”

“A death achieved combating our enemies is not to be feared..”

“You moral extremists do love to have hills to die upon,” Quissonce critiques.”

“So dissuading him is impossible?” Dolah asks.

“Impossible for you.”

>Alright let's head to Heaven
>Alright, Dolah and Desden go to the Church and clear it out
>Lets head to the Church together as a group
>Something else? (write-in)

>>884210
>“Impossible for you.”
"But possible for someone else. Aside from the Great Will, is there no one else he would be persuaded by?"

>>884210
>Something else?
"Then who, besides the Great Will, would Hadraniel listen to?"

>>884218
>>884444
>>884210
SECOND

“Aside from The Great Will, who would Hadraniel listen to?” you ask

“None that I am aware of,” the angel replies. You spare Desden a glance whose lack of vocalized commentary reinforces the idea that your captive audience is speaking the truth.

>Alright let's head to Heaven
>Alright, Dolah and Desden go to the Church and clear it out
>Lets head to the Church together as a group
>Something else? (write-in)

>>885455
>>Lets head to the Church together as a group

>>885455
>Alright, Dolah and Desden go to the Church and clear it out
The Faithful are going to attack if we show up, and with us low on healing and only having a wand of fireballs, is going to mean that a lot of people are going to die who didn't have to.

>>885500
ok, switching to this.

>>885455
>>885500
I feel like all I do is second but fuck thinking with my own brain at this point.
Second.

>>885500
This

“Alright,” you accept with a nod of your head. “Dolah. Desden. I'm bone dry on healing at the moment and I really don't want to have a repeat of what happened on the floor below us. If you two could move ahead and clear the way to Calloway's we can avoid a lot of potential collateral.”

The paladin nods in assent of your request. “I'll tell the faithful within that the issue has been confronted and is being dealt with. I'll have them all back to their homes and safe in their bed before sending Desden back here to give you the all clear. It'll be morning soon, however. So I'd advise some measure of caution and stealth when you make your final approach.”

“If we pop open a window,” Eve pipes up. “I can hit everybody with a Fly spell. And if Alan follows up with Invisibility we can slide right into the church undetected.”

Dolah opens her mouth on reflex, but after a moment of reflection she lowers the wagging finger she was about to use. “That's . . . not a bad idea, Eve.”

“Thanks!”

“Alright,” the half-orc speaks, adjusting her grip on her shield. “Desden let's move out. I'll see you all soon at the church.”

The Inquisitor noiselessly falls into step behind his superior and both religious figures make their way to exit the mirror dimension.

“If we are finished here – ”

“Are you going to inform Hadraniel of what we plan to do?” you interrupt his request.

“ . . . No. He has gone too far. I wish you luck in your endeavors, mortal."

You glance to Desden who gives a firm nod as he steps through the frame and back into the real world of the Circle's 6th floor. You watch your two, forward, urban scouts disappear out of frame as Ed and Quissonce move towards the summoning circle.

While they get to work, Gabby makes her way over to Rowe who still looks a little overwhelmed by everything that's happened in the last few hours since you were all so rudely awoken.

The monk puts a reassuring hand on her shoulder and gives a squeeze. “You don't have to do this, y'know? We can handle this shit by ourselves.”

Rowe shakes her head. “No. Its fine. I want to do this.” Rowe raises her head and makes eye contact, determination plastered across her features.

Gabby sighs. “Well . . . thanks. For this and for saving my ass earlier. Don't think I've thanked ya for that yet.”

Rowe chuckles. “Eh, you probably would have taken it to the face and got right back up, more ornery than usual.” She brings a hand up to the bridge of her nose and pinches it as she squints. “Shit. I'm sorry. I probably had you all scrambling like crazy, scared half to death.”

“Nothing to be sorry about,” Gabby reassures her.

“Still. I appreciate what you did to bring me back.”

“Don't worry about it,” Gabby replies with a grin. “It was the least we could do.”

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Eve snorts and cackles, before cupping her mouth with her hands to help project her voice further. “MAKE OUT ALREADY!” she shouts in jest, causing Gabby's hand to recoil as both women blush momentarily.

(Was that a joke?)

Gabby scratches the back of her head for a moment before shaking her head. “Fuck off you little piece of shit.”

The summoning circle surrounding the angel is disrupted with a chalk line and your holy hostage dissipates into the ether, back to where he came from.

You are jostled as Ed throws his massive arm around your shoulder in a friendly gesture of intimacy. “Listen, crazy bullshit with Gods and angels aside, its great to have you both back. Alive!” He emphasizes, giving a thoughtful look to Rowe. “It felt like you two were gone forever.”

Quissonce stands up from where she was marking up her enscribed circle and turns to face you. “That is probably because situations tend to be much simpler and calmer without him. How was your birthday hunting trip, Alan?”

You shrug. “ Fought some Hill giants. Got kicked in the face really hard. Imperial agents have given guns to the Mountain Rider tribe in an attempt to ingratiate themselves. Established a . . . complicated cordial relationship with something called a skinwalker. Oh! And I have a squire now. His name is Du'kov.”

Ed grimaces as you list the milestones of your mini-adventure. “I read a few books and helped Gilda study some fish.”

“Crabs and seashells too,” Quissonce amends thoughtfully.

>How do you wish to kill time until Desden's return? (write-in)

>>886649
We should think about what we can use as another holy symbol.
Maybe we can ask for guidance.
Otherwise we can ask what's been up in town while we were gone.

Oh, have Quissonce or Ed examine the Wand of Fireball for how many charges it has left.

>>886649
Also I suppose we should apologize to everyone for getting dragged into our problem.

>>886761
>We should think about what we can use as another holy symbol.
we could use a ring. just a plain old ring. It's on our hand, so we should be able to channel it whenever we want.

>>887042
Considering the difficulty we originally had in finding an item with a strong enough emotional connection to be a divine focus, I don't think it'll be that easy.
Maybe Aleg's talisman, but it didn't work the first time around so it probably won't work this time either.

>>886649
may also want to discuss what to do about the Empire and how to strike it a blow.

Can we contact Kyra in the meantime? I'd like to know what she's found out.

>>887699
>>886761
>>886649
This.

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You shake your head. “I should apologize for dragging you all into my bullshit.”

Eve shrugs and pops a squat. “Eh. We weren't doing anything else. Besides sleeping.”

“I quite like sleeping, actually,” Ed counters, letting go of you and taking a step back to face you directly. “Wish you had better timing, bud. But its no problem. Seriously. Its not like you chose to be an ancient entity prophecized to end the world.”

“We have to look out for each other,” Quissonce concurs.

“Thank you,” you speak simply. You decide to change the subject. “So, other than sea life study, anything happen in the . . . ten or so days Rowe and I were out 'celebrating'.”

Quissonce and Ed exchange a glance. Ed rubs his arm nervously. “Not really. Things have been quiet.”

“We've been keeping in contact with Kyra,” Quissonce explains, clamoring to reveal something important. “She confirmed that Roscoli traders bring in all the necessary off-Island supplies the main Imperial fort uses. They keep their surplus in a storehouse at this secondary location beside the sea. Regular shipments of food, equipment and most notably – precious metals – are escorted up a dirt path to their primary location.”

“Huh,” Rowe utters, contemplative. She sits down on the floor and lets her legs splay out. “You think that's what the Imps are paying Burn with?”

“Makes sense,” Eve points out. “The only things Burn can't just take for himself are off the Island. He may be tolerating Imperial presence for a huge influx of gold into his hoard.”

“Regardless,” Rowe continues. “Razing that place to the ground, especially if we can hit it while ships are offloading more supplies, and we could cut off the main fort. Put pressure on them.”

You nod. “Good. We have some things to consider, then. Has Kyra returned yet?”

Your silver-haired companion shakes her head. “Still out right now. Hmmm, what else . . .” Quissonce chews a fingernail as she thinks.

Suddenly Ed's eyes light up and his expression quickly shifts into something mischievous. He utters a hearty chuckle as he looks to Gabby with a smirk. “There has been one major development you may not be aware of, although I'm not sure you'd consider it very tactical.”

Ed stares at the large monk, much to her annoyance. “What?” she self-consciously demands, furrowing her brow.

“Have you told them yet about Kroll?” the half-orc wizard asks, raising his eyebrows suggestively.

“Oh!” Gabby exclaims with sudden nervousness. “Oh, they already know about that and . . . uh, that's probably over and done with.” She shakes her head as she blows air out through pursed lips, causing a few scraggly strands of blonde hair to flutter in the momentary breeze.

Ed's posture deflates at that revelation. “Already? Well that was quick. Barely lasted a week.”

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Quissonce exhales a sigh of relief. “Thank you! That man was treating you like a piece of meat. Granted, I doubt you were treating him much better, but still. I'm glad you came to your senses fast.”

“Yep!” Gabby agrees with a half-hearted swing of her upper arm.

“Y'know,” Quissonce points out. “Gale's single. He's a nice guy. You should think about asking him out.”

“Yeaaaaaah, sure, I'll think about it,” Gabby plays along.

“I'm being serious. Its time to ditch the bad boy –”

“Hey Quissonce could you tell me how many charges this wand still has?” You interrupt her spiel as you shoot your arm out, holding up the wand you appropriated from the man who slew your girlfriend. “I want to know what I've got to work with here.”

“Oh,” Quissonce remarks, taking the glorified stick from your hands. “Certainly Alan.” Dropping that train of thought, the elf moves away to focus on her new task.

“So,” you continue. “I'm cut off from my divine powers until I find a new holy symbol. My old one was destroyed in the process of fixing Rowe.”

“What are the requirements to use something as a holy symbol?” Rowe asks.

You rub your jaw as you recall exactly it is that Father Calloway had told you all those months ago. “A token of my belief. A representation of my faith. Something personal.”

“Sounds like you'd know more about what to look for than us,” Eve admits. “Do you have any ideas?”

“There's this talisman I have from an old war buddy of mine, but it didn't work when I tried to use it long ago. The last one I had was . . . probably the most meaningful thing I owned. Last token I had of my best friend. Really significant.”

Rowe frowns. “Alan I'm –”

“I have no doubt in my mind that if Tobias was here right now he'd slap the shit out of me if I let you think I regret making that trade in the slightest.”

“Well,” Quissonce remarks as she fiddles with the wand. “If you don't have anything meaningful to your faith maybe you should make something meaningful to your faith.”

“You . . . have a suggestion, Quissonce?” you ask, confused.

“Well I don't know . . .” she speaks, cocking her head this way and that, inspecting the detail work on the magical implement as she pretends to be thinking something up off the top of her head. “Perhaps something related to a religious ceremony. . . With a strong connection to the church. . . Steeped in faith.”

Ed grimaces, looking over to his girl. “Quissonce, stop it.”

“An object that would also be strongly connected to a person close to you. . . Represents a lasting bond . . . At a church . . .”

“We get it!” Rowe snaps at her, flustered.

“Wait what's she talking about?” Eve asks, dumbfounded.

“What about Calloway's old holy symbol?” Gabby brings up. “He's a dead guy you care about. And he was your priest mentor. That should have some meaning.”

>Alig's talisman
>Calloway's holy symbol
>Quissonce . . . makes a good point
>Something else? (write-in)

>>890029
>Alig's Talisman
I think uncle Alig would like it if something of his kept someone from his unit safe.

>>890029
>>Calloway's holy symbol

>>890029
>Calloway's holy symbol
And if that doesn't work...
>Quissonce . . . makes a good point

>>891803
>>Quissonce . . . makes a good point
though, i guess, if we're going with rings, perhaps we should make a set of three, one for each of us?

>>891821
Isn't that mixing work, our religion, and our relationships so that there's no difference between any of them?

>>891926
Perhaps, but this is mainly a backup plan.

>>890029
>Calloway's holy symbol
>Quissonce . . . makes a good point

>>890029
>Calloway's holy symbol

Aw shit, we completely forgot to ask the angel if he knows why magic was restricted to this island and if there's a way to bring it off the island so we can win the war.

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>>886649
>“MAKE OUT ALREADY!”
I also found the perfect reaction pic for this.

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“I'm inclined to agree with you, Gabby. It would be . . . the best way to honor him, I think. Keep a part of him fighting the good fight.” Tobias earned himself a good long rest. That's two lives he's saved now. Self-centered bastard's making you look bad. “It was a crescent moon necklace,” you recall. “Either entombed with Father Calloway beneath the chapel or stored somewhere safe by Dolah.”

“Either way,” Ed notes. “One more reason to head to the church, right?”

Gabby chuckles. “Yeah, errands, y'know? Pick up a glorified tchotchke, summon a Goddess, slay an angel. Two birds with one stone type shit.”

“Although,” you admit, an inkling of your mind still drawn to the elf's not-quite-subtle commentary. “Quissonce you . . . uh, make a good point, now that I think about it.”

Her eyes widen at your words. As do Rowe's. And Gabby's and Ed's. Everyone except Eve, really.

“Do I, Alan?” your silver-haired companion relishes the question with emphasis. “That birthday getaway of yours must have really been illuminating!”

(Alan . . .) Rowe's thought seep out of her brain cage.

Gabby snorts, lazily gesturing with a swirling finger towards the frail-bodied wizard. “Think you might be neglecting the near death experience part of the equation there, Quissonce.”

“Near death?” Rowe qualifies.

The muscular marvel waves away the details dismissively. Gabby gestures with a nod towards Ed and Quissonce. “How about you two?” She raises her eyebrows suggestively. “When are you planning to be dragged by the hair into his hut to 'plant the garden'.”

“We are not having this conversation,” Ed snaps defensively. “The mirrorverse is too sacred for this filth and it must be respected!”

“Did somebody say 'double wedding'?” Eve inquires pointedly, looking across your gathering of faces.

You squint at your tiny companion. “I thought you were out of the loop.”

“Well I'm in it now!” she retorts.

. . .

Ed manages to successfully sway the topic of conversation to something far simpler and much less dramatic. After the discussions of food, sea life, and magical theory peter out to nothingness, silence reigns supreme for the remainder of your wait. It takes some time, – and more than once you worry that something might have happened to delay Dolah – but eventually Desden's scraggly platinum blonde bangs shift into view once more. He beckons you to follow and you all make your exit into the Circle's sixth floor hallway.

“Took her some time,” he offers to explain the lengthy wait as you move. “Very concerned faithful were quite reluctant to be kept in the dark. The flock is much more proactive and vigorous than we anticipated. We should have the chapel's main room to ourselves now, however.”

You sigh out, giving your girlfriend a reassuring squeeze as she too takes in a deep breath for the . . . interesting events soon to transpire.

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Your dragonome guides you all to her room to utilize her window as a launching point. You notice the rather sparse lodging accouterments within her domicile seem eerily at odds with the cluttered, chaos that is Eve's demeanor. An unmade top sheet atop her bed is the only presence of entropy within her abode at the Circle.

With the window unlatched, you are each graced with a dose of flight, which you personally augment with a fine coating of invisibility to ensure this transit is a smooth and unmolested process. Gliding out over the city, you spy the burgeoning sun rays of a new dawn peaking over the horizon, casting the taller buildings of Seaside in soft hues of gold and pink. Inwardly groaning once you realize the lack of recuperation you were unable to enjoy last night is giving you a faint headache. Thankfully, your efforts at secrecy pan out and you all land gently before THE CHURCH OF CALLOWAY, perhaps thirty minutes before the earliest faithful will arrive to offer their morning benedictions.

Together, you pass through the exquisitely chiseled double doors and enter into the a much familiar atmosphere. The same pews, the same altar, the same bookshelves, the same fountain. It doesn't feel changed. You don't feel unwelcome in your abominable state. The layer of invisibility peels away from your skin like a shed exoskeleton as Desden approaches a reflective, inanimate Dolah. Staring into the cold waters near the back of the aisle – head bowed – the half-orc seems to be inspecting her features.

“We're as prepared as we're possibly going to get,” the inquisitor speaks, voice solid and dispassionate as he relays the success of his task.

Dolah nods once before releasing her grip on the stone rim of the fountain, raising her head to acknowledge your presence. “Rowe,” she speaks. “Are you –”

“Yes.” the half-elf cuts off the final chance to turn back before the opportunity can even breathe life.

>Let's begin
>Dolah, where is Calloway's holy symbol
>Something else? (write-in)

>>896895
>>Dolah, where is Calloway's holy symbol
let's get this thing before we start up the possible fight.

>>896888
>>896895
Ask Rowe and Gabby to check their ring finger measurements after this.

You know, for curiosity's sake.

>>896895
>Dolah, where is Calloway's holy symbol
As much as I'd like to get to the fight, it can never hurt to be fully prepared. Besides, if the Holy symbol works and we can heal again, it'll be proof that the Great Will isn't against us.

>>896895
>Let's begin
I don't think that simply getting the symbol will be enough to recharge our spell slots.

>Dolah, where is Calloway's holy symbol

Roll me 1d100 + 25, best of 3.

Rolled 19 + 25 (1d100 + 25)

>>899388
Memes. The DNA of the soul.

Rolled 97 + 25 (1d100 + 25)

>>899388

Rolled 64 + 25 (1d100 + 25)

>>899388

does anyone know what angels are weak to?

Like, what kind of spells and stuff?

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“Hey Dolah,” you ask. “Do you know where Calloway's holy symbol is?”

The paladin stares at you inquisitively before inspecting her memories and answering you. “I keep it in a drawer in the desk of the late Father's bedroom here at the chapel. Why do you ask?”

“Lost my own and I figure I might want to use his. Do you mind if I grab it before we start this?” you request, gesturing over your shoulder to the back of the church with your thumb.

She nods, slipping a key out of her pocket and handing it over to you. “Not at all. He'd be proud to know you were using it.”

“Thank you,” you acknowledge, taking the finely-wrought piece of iron and retreating to the private domiciles. You come to the door and as you put the key in the lock, you immediately sense the living presence of whoever is currently hiding inside Dolah's room.

CLICK

You suck in a breath as the door unlocks. The floor creaks with the subtle shifting weight of some unseen figure.

You sigh out, retreating a few steps and taking the key with you. “Whoever is in there,” you call out, the rest of your crew alerted by your speech suddenly breaking the silent atmosphere. “Come out now.”

The others stare at you strangely for a moment as you speak to the closed door.

“Is someone actually there?” Dolah inquires, moving up beside you, one hand rising to grip the haft of her mighty weapon.

“Yes,” you confirm. “I can hear them,” you announce loudly. “Do not make this – ”

The handle turns as Dolah's door is pulled open, revealing a figure familiar to those of you that closely interact with the religious community in Seaside.

“Father Curtis!” the half-orc exclaims, surprised. The blonde man standing before you has the decency to at least appear sheepish. “What are you doing here?”

“Hiding,” he answers honestly, looking between yourself and Dolah, a resigned expression on his face. “I was curious as to the vagaries of your conduct, Sister. You are often quite explicit and direct with the faithful. But tonight you spoke in vague assurances.”

He stares at you for a long moment, his lips unconsciously moving as if he were muttering soundlessly. He gestures to you with his staff while addressing Dolah. “So bringing him here is you dealing with the situation.”

Dolah closes her eyes shut for a moment before responding. “In a roundabout way: yes, Father Curtis. It is.”

The befrocked gentleman sighs out. “Keeping them in the dark, Sister?” he chides sadly. “I suppose you haven't brought Alan here to pray to the Great Will one last time before slaying him.”

“ . . . No,” comes Dolah's curt answer. “What we all heard did not come from the Great Will, Father. I spoke with one of His servants. These false commands come from another.”

“An angel,” the priest acknowledges with a quick nod. “An interpreter of His design.”

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“Yes,” Dolah seconds, before amending that claim. “A misguided interpretation without consulting the source.”

“But your interpretation isn't misguided? Clouded by bias?” the priest asks rhetorically. When the only answer he receives is sullen silence, he gestures to the lot of you with a sweeping gesture of his staff. “And what blasphemy do you seek to wreak here in this sanctuary?”

“None,” Dolah replies earnestly. “We're trying to handle things peacefully.”

“Armed to the teeth?”

“He swung first, asshat!” Gabby shouts.

“What is the proper response of a Paladin when commanded to slay one who consorts with demons by an angel, Sister Dolah?” Curtis requests, eyes glued to Dolah's form. “Where in the scriptures would eradication be considered too harsh a sentence?”

>I don't consort with demons!
>Let Dolah handle this
>Something else? (write-in)

>>902798
>>I don't consort with demons!
"Father, we mortals, even the angels themselves, are fallible. Only the Great Will knows what the Great Will truly wants. The fact your immediate move is to try and have my friend kill me indicates your involvement in this to an extent as well."

>>902798
>“Armed to the teeth?”
"Only as a precaution because he seeks to inflict harm upon me."

>one who consorts with demons
"How have I consorted with demons? I've never made any deals with them or done them favors. Unless you're saying that by talking to one interrogation automatically makes one tainted?"

>>902798
>Let Dolah handle this
No, really, don't say something stupid.

>>902833
>I've never made any deals with them
We HAVE summoned one, and taken the power of another.

>>903353
on second thought, yeah, let's just let Dolah handle this.

>>903364
shit, i must have forgotten that.

>>902805
There's fallible, and then there's literally summoning a demon (it was actually a devil, to be precise), absorbing the powers of another demon, and then there's the whole "experimenting with evil and necromantic artifacts without proper precautions leading to the death of a man we were supposed to be helping".

I really don't think that brushing those off as simple fallibilities and mistakes of a mortal is going to cut it.

>>903353
switching to this then

>>903372
I'll be honest, we've made a lot of questionable decisions for someone who's supposed to be a divine conduit for a Lawful Good deity.
Pointing to this >>903392 and a bunch of other decisions we've made, I'm not sure if Dolah will still be able to talk other Lawful Good faithful down.

The only thing she could say in our defense is that
1. The Great Will did not rescind His blessings and powers from Alan regardless of the choices he's made.
2. The Chaotic Good goddess and an Angel of the Great Will both said that the Great Will did not send the kill order, and it's Hadraniel acting independently.

While it's true that the Great Will didn't give the order, Curtis does have a point that Hadraniel is still within his rights as the General of the Great Will's Heavenly Host to give an order to the Faithful to eliminate someone who consorts with devils and demons.

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Your hackles rise and blood rushes to your temples as you prepare to spit denial at the priest's gross accusations. But as your mind scrambles to compose a counterargument, doubt seeps in. You keep your mouth shut as Dolah licks her lips nervously. She rubs her face with a free hand as she thinks on how to respond.

“Father, I understand your concern,” she answers. “I would be lying if I claimed I wasn't as well. We've dealt with rooting out worshipers, pact-makers and fanatics in recent months. I was here when devils summoned by cultists took the life of the very man who made this church what it is today. I know the risks and the dangers associated with demon worship. Alan possesses an unorthodox set of powers and that is a cause for caution, especially since we do not understand everything about them. But as of right now we're wandering in the dark and I am hesitant of any charlatan offering a false light for us to swarm to.”

“Charlatan?” Curtis repeats, offended. “This is an agent of the Lord you speak of!”

Dolah sighs out and shakes her head. “As am I,” she reluctantly declares. “And I'm telling you, a zero tolerance policy is not the way we effectively function and fight for what's right. Frankly, Alan's creepy succubus kiss power is not the first compromise I've made and it is a far cry from what I consider the most egregious. I've stayed my hand through the summoning of a devil, association with an undead, and had the patience to tolerate very differing ways of seeing the world. If Alan has gone beyond the pale then so have the rest of us.”

The priest shuts his eyes tight as that last sentence rings true in the air.

. . .

Seconds of silence pass as you wait for the man to speak as he seems to be thinking intently. Only the babbling flow of the fountain waters persist in the tense atmosphere.

Finally, one subtle quirk in his expression accompanied by a loosening of his flesh indicates he has come to some decision. You hope he won't cause any more complications.

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Father Curtis opens his mouth. “Yes you have” The voice is not his own.

Dolah recoils.

“Crap,” Desden mutters far behind you.

When the priest opens his eyelids again you are nearly blinded by the bright indigo light that surges outwards from the oval featureless voids that make up his eyeballs as the scene erupts into chaos.

The air around you explodes into noise as unseen trumpets blare melodies so indescribably masterful that you would cry at their beauty if they were not sounded so loudly you thought your eardrums might burst.

A forceful gale of erratic, violent winds stronger than any storm you've lived through pushes you back, whipping at loose strands of hair and articles of clothing.

Candles are snuffed out and various objects are flung across the chapel as the stained glass windows shake so violently they shatter, raining shards of glass onto all of you.

Through it all, even as the bedlam overtakes every natural sense you posses, a deep, unwavering voice in the recesses of your mind makes is presence clear and true, urging you to follow its guiding presence to traverse the pandemonium intact.

>Fireball the angel
>Teleport forward and engage in melee
>Do it now Rowe!
>ASSIMILATE
>Something else? (write-in)

Also

>Roll me 3d100, best of 3. Fortitude save. Reflex Save. Will save, respectively.

Rolled 2 (1d100)

>>906614
>Fireball the angel

Rolled 53, 95 = 148 (2d100)

>>906622
>>906614
Ahem, I'm lucky that was the first 1 I guess
>inb4 nat 1

Rolled 34, 38, 57 = 129 (3d100)

>>906614
>Do it now Rowe!
I want to assimilate so badly, but we should stick to the plan.

>>906834
But imagine the power!
The untold abilities and depths of holy power that an Angelic General would have at his command, ours for the taking!
Not only could we fight power with power, but such divine might would be instrumental when we scour the Burning Hells and the Abyss, bringing doom and holy wrath upon their denizens.
Think about the greater good we could achieve.

Rolled 56, 69, 5 = 130 (3d100)

>>906614

>>906614
>>Teleport forward and engage in melee

Rolled 22, 73, 16 = 111 (3d100)

>>906614
>ASSIMILATE
Unlimited POWAH!

>>906614
ok, cast fireball first>>906622
then get into melee>>907244

if it looks like we can't take him, then have rowe do it>>906834