Post by Andy D on Dec 28, 2023 23:43:32 GMT
Another New Martial Organisation
In response to civil disapproval of the Dawnland Adventurers’ involvement in Kundarian matters, Kundar now has their own Adventuring group and an ‘import tax’ of sorts on Dawnland Adventurers seeking to be hired in Kundar.
The Dawnlands now have themselves a newly established mercenary group called the Unsheathed Blades, This group is formed of an assortment of former soldiers from all over Faerun. As the organisation’s name implies, they prefer martial solutions to problems. In the matter of which they hired us adventurers recently, I did not disagree with them that martial solutions were required. In matters of the continued safety of the Dawnland’s citizens, sometimes martial solutions are required.
The Unsheathed Blades, as their leader, Valkie, explained herself, are proficient in field battles, and less so for assaulting a forest encampment of magic-users. So, the Blades hired us, to deal with the troubling development of an active cultist group for Loviatar, the Queen of Pain, which was encamped in the Feythorn forest near New Hillborrow. For the completion of this task, the killing of all the cultists and for freeing an innocent worshipper of Ilmater, the Blades rewarded each adventurer 500gp and expressed satisfaction with our work and inclination to work with us in the future. It should be noted that Valkie felt the adventurer, Wil, among the adventures met, was the most fitting of us for the Unsheathed Blades.
On The Maiden of Pain And Her Worshippers
There are many supreme beings of the pantheon covering many different matters for worship. Perhaps there are too many, if pain and torture are matters to which some people feel needs divine dedication. Worst of all, concerning followers of the Maiden of Pain, its cult members are not capable of keeping their faith to themselves and leaving others to their own worship. The suffering of non cult members appears to be crucial to the cult’s methods of worship. Though, it is true that their own suffering appears to be a part of their worship too. The internally spiked metal masks serve as proof, and the blood sacrifice of members to a higher up individual in the cult ranking, also serves as proof.
Has society played some part in failing people, if people have turned towards the worship of torture? There are many better things one could dedicate one's time to. The poor follower of Ilmater, the deity of Endurance and those who suffer, is on a better path in life in direct comparison to the cultists we put to death in protection of the Dawnlands. The poor Ilmater man’s suffering as a sacrifice to Loviatar was horrible to witness. But, one assumes the man’s dedication to Ilmater may be the very thing that helped the poor victim endure the suffering he undertook. We later discovered many victims inside the temple ruins where the cultists had encamped. Unfortunately, we had not reached them in time - the cult had managed to operate for too long unchallenged, and there was a troubling sarcophagus in a nearby cave where the cult’s leader emerged from, which will require inquiry with other adventurers to resolve.
On Assaulting A Cultist Encampment
Frigus - The young kobold bowman blends archery and nature magic to great and impressive effect. A loosed arrow imbued with the spell Hail of Thorns, and the casting of Spike Growth ridded us of many cultists roused to arms from inside their tents.
However, I do not feel it is wise that Waffles, Frigus’s young drake, accompany him on adventures. It is risky.
Wil - My younger human ally demonstrated great proficiency in eldritch magic, as well as an admirable though terse perseverance to carry on with a job whilst recovering from a night full of ‘emotions and tiredness’. Wil’s Synaptic Static spell dealt severe psychic pain to the cultists, eliminating several of them from combat.
However, like with Frigus, I deem it risky that Wil’s water guardian partner accompanies him during adventures.
Vox - I have witnessed Vox’s great sword skirmishing talents a number of times now, and it pleased me to assist Vox’s delivery of lethal sword thrusts by casting Greater Invisibility on them. An unseen blade after all is scarier than one you can see.
On reflection, it is pleasing to note Vox was not accompanied by a companion animal or partner during the adventure.
The Wizard (myself) - There are many spells one considers essential for morning prep; Shield, Absorb Elements, Feather Fall, Counter Spell. You will note these are all reactionary, defensive spells. However, a good, expansive area-covering, blasting spell that packs a considerable wallop is also essential prep! And this is one reason why the Fireball spell is synonymous with wizards. Alongside my ally Frigus’s Hail of Thorns, my double casting of Fireball took care of several of the barely aroused cultists within their encampment.
On Possible But Unethically Satisfying Methods of Life Extension
I am aware of spells such as Life Transference, from the school of Necromancy, of which my friend and colleague Ruthenia is a specialist. The spell transfers the energy from a self inflicted necrotic wound to the caster and causes rapid, magical healing to an intended target - without divine magic; this is how magical healing is done.
The cultists of Loviatar had a magical method for healing their leader through bloodletting magic quite similar to the Life Transference spell. Is it possible that this bloodletting magic could also extend lifespan as well as cure wounds? It would be interesting to know the answer to this.
However, this method of possible life extension falls outside my ethical comfort. I am not willing to accept the trade-off of some people’s life extension at the expense of others. This scapegoating method of wound avoidance does not sit right with me.