As dinnertime and evening  came, the members of the strike team retired to rest while the army made the final preparations for its march in the morning. The night passed peacefully for some and less so for others, while some saw sweet loving dreams others swere haunted by nightmares or doubts.<br/><br/>At dawn, the team was finally assembled by Lady Yustissa, first visiting each of them and telling them how she would place her trust in them, needed their individual and unique skill set to overcome the obstacles that stood between her and her final goal, and how this victory might prevent many from suffering horribly in the dragged out skirmishes with the beastmen. She would make them feel needed, confident and proud, her almost otherworldly charisma finding some way to rouse their spirits, then say a small prayer and bless each of the warriors, saying that the gods were with them sharing her own strength with them. She had a glow about her, other than her usual confidence, perhaps the knowledge that the actions of this day might finally end the war for good, that the true final victory could have been just a battle away. It was the duty of every human and soldier, of every living being to end the conflict that lasted countless generations.<br/><br/><div class="floatright">(http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs19/f/2007/240/6/5/Sword_master_by_Rhynodesign.jpg)</div>When the team assembled, the army was already prepared to march, scouts and the orcs already moving an hour ahead. The friends, comerades and lovers would each exchange words or silent looks with them as they each left to do their part in this. The strike team gathered around the Lady Paladin and Kardur, apparently now her second in command. Neither have donned armor yet, but the man had his greatsword in a sheath strapped over his back, and Yustissa wore similar robes than yesterday, again no armor whatsoever, though this time she had a weapon belt with a masterfully forged longsword hanging at her side, the hilt shaped like a female angel, with the wings forming the guard.<br/>"I should go with you. Whatever's down there, I'll mow them down. Whatever's in the way, I'll cut you a path right<em>through</em>them. I'm your best bet, no one here can match my strength and skill." the massive man told her as the group approached.<br/>"We talked about this. I need you out there, not because I don't want you at my side, but because you're my best soldier." the paladin responded, perhaps with a little more familiarity in her voice than with other troops, giving the impression that these two have been fighting together for a long time.<br/>"I don't like this. If anything were to happen in the tower, it might be impossible for us to break through their lines to help you. I'd rather you not be seperated from the main force." he insisted.<br/>"The main force serves only to draw their attention and troops. Try to disrupt their movements, create some chaos among their ranks. Whatever you do, draw their eyes and ears away from the Spire. The real job will be up to us, inside the tower... perhaps when their sorcerous leader is defeated, their spirit will falter."<br/>"I'll stand atop a mountain of beastman corpses by the time you'll finish." he promised.<br/>The fiery-haired woman placed her hand on his arm, as if saying an unspoken goodbye before turning away to face her team. Kardur would only look at them briefly, then give an approving nod and swiftly move to rally the troops.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Information about the fighter</div><div class="spoiler_body"><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Knowledge (Geography) DC:10 or character from the Untamed Lands</div><div class="spoiler_body">His accent doesn't quite show it, but his features hint that Kardur is from a nomadic tribe on the Southern region fo the Untamed Lands.</div></div><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Knowledge (Local) DC:15, or character from the Untamed Lands</div><div class="spoiler_body">Simply put, Kardur is a juggernaut. In sheer strength and ferocity, he puts all but the most fearsome orc soldiers to shame. This man is a veteran and hero of the war, having fought for years before Yustissa's crusade began, and has felled hundreds of beastmen. His weapon of choice, the greatsword doesn't come from 'compensation' soldiers joke with, nor the fact that his name means King of Swords in the barbarian's tongue. The reason behind it is much more simple: it allows him to kill the most enemies with most efficiency in the least amount of time. In battles when the beastmen bring out their heavy troops like an ogre of occasional troll, this is the soldier who steps up to the challange. Though he briefly disappeared from the conflict a year ago when he supposedly returned to his tribe, he came back to rejoin Yustissa and is ever since her best fighter in the army. Out of combat he serves as a weaponsmith and combat instructor, often training the infantry or fixing weapons.</div></div></div></div><br/><div class="floatright">(http://cdn.cardbaron.com/photo/xxlarge/UNH_mox-lotus_74323.jpg)</div><br/><br/><br/>The Lady Paladin procured a small wooden box from her belt pouch, offering it to the party.<br/>"I do not know what is to come, but should we get seperated or if any of you suffers an injury use this to easy your pain. The paste will disinfect and close wounds if applied properly. the alchemist gave it to me, but I am protected by the gods. Use it to save yourselves should something unexpected happen, it is critical that we succeed on our mission." she said.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Item</div><div class="spoiler_body">The paste inside the box was made out of potent healing herbs. As a full-round action it can be used to restore any number of lost hit points to a character, but it can be used in this manner outside of combat only. The paste is enough to heal a total of 30 hit points before being completely used up. In combat, it can only be applied hastily, expending 6 hp worth of healing to restore 1d6 hit points as a standard action.</div></div><br/>"As for our plan of approach, while the main force distracts the enemy we will take the Pilgrim's Path, an underground tunnel connecting to the catacombs and the Spire itself. There are hazards along the way, but as a young acolyte of the order I passed the tests. I can guide us through the tunnel and the lessons it is meant to teach. The real danger is that Hagan knows about this tunnel, after all he sent initiates and pilgrims to take the journey every year. It is almost certain that he would defend this approach to the Spire as well, perhaps by desacrating the crypts and raising their inhabitants, or by some foul sorcery to ward off intruders. When we successfully make it to the Spire, we will head for the top floor, where the betrayer will likely be. I can guide us as far as the layout of the tower is concerned, but I do not know if the monks and priests inside will be hostages or enemies." she explains, then dons the general's red cape, apparently not bothering to wear any armor at all.<br/>"If you have any questions, ask them on the way. Every minute of advance will cost us lives, each step bought us with the blood of our friends."<br/>With that, the Lady Paladin would lead them into the hills, to the secret location of the Pilgrim's Path.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Character status</div><div class="spoiler_body">Those who had sex last night start the day fatigued (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamemastering/conditions#TOC-Fatigued). In addition, while traveling with the Lady Paladin, the party is under a permanent bless (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/b/bless) effect. </div></div>