The Fireball Gazette

A Plea for Help
Inside the cathedral, the party witnessed a heartfelt conversation between Elio and a distraught red-haired woman named Marina. She was pleading for a séance to contact her deceased sister, but Elio explained he couldn’t divert resources from defending the faith for non-emergencies. However, sensing her desperation, the party offered to assist - showing that when it comes to helping neighbors, they believe in absolute freedom of action. Elio confided his deep worry about recent insurgent attacks in Port Elgin, allegedly led by Moon Church separatists looking to undermine the peace. Mad Matt agreed to help gather intelligence, though he went out of his way to emphasize that the party definitely wasn’t anywhere near Port Elgin when those unprovoked attacks occurred. Before they could proceed with their investigation, the Paladin entered, whispering to Elio about a suspicious, unauthorized delivery of barrels.

Explosive Discovery
Curious and vigilant, the party inspected the barrels outside, noting they were tightly sealed with high-pressure liquid inside. Selah and Matt already feared the worst, suspecting these were the same explosive devices used in the Port Elgin tragedy. With the help of a scouting bird, Deva tracked down a nervous monk managing a cart nearby. As the party began an intense interrogation, he muttered a spell, and moments later, an unprovable explosion rocked the cathedral. Assassins in dark robes suddenly launched an unprovoked assault, discarding their disguises and striking down unprepared monks and paladins.

Vines and Greataxes
Deva summoned vines to ensnare the assassin, transforming into a horse to tackle him with heavy-duty impact from above. Meanwhile, Marina, startled from hiding, charged out with her greataxe like a true defender of liberty, going after the assassin. Despite an initial miss, she landed a second blow, wounding him badly. She pursued him relentlessly, eventually ending his flight down a staircase with a final, decisive strike.

Defending Elio
Ace took a strategic, tactical position near the cathedral, but an assassin managed to slash him before he could find cover. Near the entrance, Mad Matt rushed to protect Elio from a crossbow attack, which was quickly neutralized by Ace’s high-precision marksman shot. Horse-Deva corralled an assassin into a corner, securing the safety of Elio and providing the Paladin with a clear path for a tactical retreat back inside.

The Assassin’s Leader Emerges
Rachel Boon, leader of the insurgents, stepped into view, declaring her intent to destroy the cathedral and everything it stands for. With a grim flourish, she ignited barrels placed around the area, sending waves of pinkish-blue flames across the cathedral grounds in a scorched-earth tactic. Selah, utilizing her ki, climbed atop a tree and enveloped the courtyard in magical darkness, adding a new layer of tactical chaos to the battlefield.

Battle in the Darkness
The party fought blindly in the dark, relying on pure grit. Matt, positioning himself to intercept Rachel, managed to wound her with his black tendrils just as she advanced. Ace fired a well-timed crossbow bolt, striking her in the abdomen with surgical precision. Nearby, Deva, still in horse form, stalked her remaining target, delivering powerful kicks until he succumbed. With Rachel down and the darkness dissipated, Deva transformed into a bear, finishing off the last assassin in a fierce, heavy-duty final blow.

Inside the Cathedral
The party captured a chi-blocked assassin and Rachel herself, rushing them as well as a critically wounded civilian inside for processing. They feared the worst, suspecting the Paladin might be a double agent, but it became clear he was simply defending the sanctity of the church. Grateful for their heroic intervention, Elio healed the wounded and attempted to interrogate Rachel, who refused to yield. He ordered her and the assassin to be held under strict guard until judgment.

Revelations and Rewards
Thankful for the heroes' defense of liberty, Elio agreed to conduct a séance for Marina. However, even with twenty candles and deep meditation, he couldn’t contact her sister, Luna, from beyond the grave. There could only be one patriotic explanation – Luna was still alive!
When Ace tried to offer Elio a vial of liquid gold to aid repairs, he kindly refused the tribute, insisting on paying 200 gold for it to maintain his integrity. Knowing Selah’s interest in relics, he invited the party to visit the Northern Cathedral’s treasury, promising a guided tour of the church’s most treasured and high-value artifacts the next day…

– TO BE CONTINUED –