No Rest for the Wicked

Calanthia kneeled behind the battlements listening to Arik Demonclaw monologue like all evil despots do. As he rambled with his threats, the party was thinking about what next. We headed back to Praags leadership to listen to them monologue.......
 
Calanthia decided not to make her presense known. Kemurial, Rory, Freya and Friar Karl entered the tent, and took a seat at the strategy table with other heads of military. When asked about our success, Kemurial shared our mixed effectiveness. He then, as a good leader does, took responsibility for the mission failure.
 
This angered Calanthia. The failure was not his fault. In fact, the achievements were substantial. Calanthia could not retain her anger. She stepped forward angrily. She climbed upon the chair and still, she couldn't get her whole head above the table. Angrily asking for a booster seat to stand on, Rory grabber her by her collar and held her above the table. This angered her further. She yelled at Rory, PUT ME DOWN DAMMIT!
 
A muffled chuckle was audible around the table further emboldening Calanthia.
 
Kemurial is not being fair. We had moderate success but that siege engine was not like any other we encountered. We damaged beyond use or destroyed 5 catapults and 1 Balista. We suffered much injury in this assault. Power mages, shamans, and footmen were encountered. He may be too humble to take credit, but I will not stand here and allow defeat assigned to this effort. Kemurial led well. We were outnumbered 10:1 and still managed to destroy 6 of 7 siege engines. That is an incredible success!!!!
 
Duke Enrik stood up and tried to calm Calanthia down. Nobody is assigning blame. We recognize the achievements made under horrible odds. Attempting to defuse Calanthia's anger, "What did we learn?"
 
Rory spoke up first. The Main target of our raid didn't seem to be effected by any of our attacks. We used physical, fire, acid, cold, force and radiant. The only damage that seemed effective was the Radiant attacks. The engine seemed to move on its own and had several types of assault. It had cannon balls, it had poison gas and fireballs.
 
It also seemed to fire without regard to the safety of its own forces.
 
Rory then spoke about something they encountered before I joined this group. In a previous battle, while exiting they seemed to witness what may have been a shadow or echo. 2 mage types talking. The statement he seemed to remember was "They do not know what they have started".
 
Kemurial mentioned there were 2 mages at this battle. Twins who seemed to be robes in opposite colors with same designs. Upon Kemurial's sharing of this information, Rory seemed startled by his memory. "The 2 people in the echo were dressed that way!!!!!!!"
 
Rory may not be the brightest candle in the candelabra, but his memory is pretty damn sharp!
 
Enrik seemed to be pleased with our Intel. He is adjusting his forces to focus radiant damage on the main siege engine. Enrik then mentioned what to do next.
 
I asked what sort of info did he discover with my information last visit. The contamination of food and the connection between Kishina? The Duke shared only a night has passed but their scouts at the warehouse I observed found out something was brewing at a large warehouse in that district.
 
Kemurial decided that following this breadcrumb was probably the best place to apply this party's resources. We decided to investigate this evening. During the day we restocked up on potions and I had my hand crossbows targeting improved magically. The consumable resources have gotten quite expensive. I wonder if the Duke is aware?
 
The evening approached. Kemurial took on a disguise, but it is difficult to be inconspicuous when you have a mini red dragon barbarian tromping though the streets! For once I wasn't the target of the humor.
 
Upon arriving at the warehouse, we observed that the city guards were at their posts at the entrances. I suggested I do some recon. Kemurial agreed. Using my ability to remain unobserved, I got close to the guards. Something was off. They weren't moving. Not just standing at attention type of not moving. No movement what so ever! No breathing, blinking, not a muscle flexed. I moved in close to see THEY WERE DEAD!!!! Their killers propping them up with spears. I returned to Kemurial and shared my info. We decided to have Freya mind link with me. I agreed to this as a member of this party. I remember the threatening comment she made about this process when I first joined the party. I did not like this, not at all, but I greed to allowing the filthy Drow to link with me.
 
Approaching the door I was able to unlock it. I laid the guards down so they weren't propped up any longer. The eyes of one of the guards seemed to look at me with sadness. A rush of guilt surged through me. Is this how my targets looked after my assassinations? A lifetime of blood covers my soul. The sadness I created, the regrets fuel my participation in trying to save this town.
 
Before I try and opening the door, I pull my dagger and magically coat it with poison. I try to open the door without being seen. Crap, I have been seen. A guard has been posted watching the door. It begins to run. Using my boots, I leap to the guard and attempt to kill her. I missed!!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!?!?! We are able to down the guard but not before her cries that we are here.
 
This is the second assassination that I have missed on. Are my skill sets decreasing? Is my participation in a party having an adverse effect on me executing my skills? How can I be effective if I cannot even kill a simple guard! This team is counting on me......
 
Just as we drop the guard, we are charged. A fiend from the 9 Hells! It charges by Rory and I and at Kemurial. I feel a wave of magic hit me like a charging beast. I try and shake it off, but it overwhelms me. I fall against the wall. My mind is cloudy. I am unable to focus, think. My first reaction is to use my magic boots to jump to the top of the packing crates that fill the warehouse and take cover.
 
Moments later I get my bearings. Too late. The Fiend has critically wounded Friar Karl. The Fiend's numerous attacks, 2 claws, tail sting, charging trample, tongue restraints are being difficult to deal with. The Fiends tail Sting took Friar Karl in 1 sting!!!!
 
Kemurial, using is Sorcerer magics, telekinetically raised Friar Karls body to a safe spot, and then applied healing ointments. Freya in turn unleashed 2 Disintegrate Spells. The Fiends resistances were difficult to overcome, but much harm was done. The thing then grappled Rory, using its tongue to strangulate the Barbarian. It attempt to create line of sight targeting issues for our party while it attempted to snuff Rory out.
 
Regaining my cognitive facilities, I used my boots again I lept across the tops of the crates, getting a line of site, I sent a crossbow bolt through the Fiends eyes, piercing through the brain. This apparently was the killing bow, and it released Rory and collapsed. I must say, seeing the fletching of the bolt protruding from the left eye, and the bullet point out the right was quite satisfying.
 
Cleaning up the final foes, we were able to capture one for interrogation. I am not confident we will get much. Cultists seem too willing to die for their cause, and these cultists have a fervent desire to fulfill their nature.
 
As the party assembles, and we get ready to return to Duke Enrik, I wonder about my effectiveness. My incapacitation almost cost the life of Friar Karl. Missing my assassination attempt allowed the guard to raise the alarm. These continued failures could very well cost the life of a party member.
 
I have never been in a position where other lives depend on me. Hell, usually I was what parties tried to protect against. Are my trained skills dwindling in this party setting? Could this contribute to the death of a party member? Am I over analyzing everything out of fear? Do others in the party have doubts?
 
Kemurial and Rory seem so sure of themselves. Their actions are always without hesitation. Freya is so hard to read. Am I helping or hindering outcomes?
 
I guess this is the burden of others in ones life. Alas, no rest for the Wicked........