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"Mister Almaeus are we up here to enjoy the view or can you get this thing to work?" B'yelka leans over and grabs a wrench off of hanging rack of tools. How do these things work anyway?
At B'yelka's insistance, Dantrian looks to the others, his eyebrow arched questioningly. "Are you all prepared? I expect this device to be lacking in subtlety and, once activated, the spider-like creature below will be aware of us." He reaches to activate the device, then hesitates. "Anton may be able to support us best through the coming struggle with his bow and, should the Beast prove unable to hold the monstrosity our homonculus here has described, I believe that I, as I am currently at least, would then be best suited to holding it at bay. That would mean you remaining four would use this device. Is that agreeable?"
"Are you sure you wouldn't be a better choice in here, Dantrian? Your knowledge of the workings might be best." He considers this. "Or perhaps you're right. You may be able to guide the four of us as we try to use the machine."
He shrugs."Fine by me. How do I use it?" Before the strap him in, he casts a spell on Anton's quiver, placing a stick into it among the arrows.
Dantrian shakes his head at Janos' suggestion, "While I believe I understand how to activate the surrounding spires, how the Bondslave Thrall itself functions utterly mystifies me, Janos."
"We will just learn by doing. That is the best teacher anyway."
"I'll work the Thrall, sure," Tibideau says. "It sounds terribly exciting. To have control over such a powerful beast as Aaron! My what a thrill!" The witch claps his hands together in excitement at the thought of the coming battle.
"I'm just glad I can fly if we're going to be fighting up here," Tibideau continues sardonically. He glances at the 350' drop into the raging waterfall below and shudders before floating up to the platform where the Thrall sits waiting to be used.
Drosil nods. Beats having another leg ripped off any day...
Throughout the discussion about the Bondslave Thrall and the use of Aaron as some kind of weapon, Anton remains silent but as they trudge up the stairs and the wind begins ripping at his coat and sending the long, multicoloured scarf of Varisian gypsy flags streaming over his shoulder, he shouts to make himself heard;
Where is the count? And whatever guards him? I can't see anything up here.
He trains his bow along the tower's surface, arrow drawn, watching for any sign of movement. He also keeps one eye on Dantrian, knowing that the alchemist is teetering on the ragged edge and if he should lose control up here, it may well be a fight to the finish.
If you need to use that infernal machine, then do it. I'm going to try and find a vantage point to cover you.
Once everyone is in position around the device, Dantrian reaches out and flips the switch to turn on the Storm Caller. At first nothing happens. Then several seconds later, it emits a deep hum and begins sending out myriad sparks and bolts of electricity.
A bolt of lighting comes down from the suddenly stormy sky above the tower, straight at Tibideau. The witch manages to dodge the bolt, which is attracted into the Bondslave Thrall. As more lightning crackles out of the sky into the Storm Caller, the cables running out of it shake, and the Thrall also comes to life. The Thrall adds its own high-pitched whine to the deep hum of the Storm Caller, and the purple alchemical liquid inside it begins rapidly boiling. B'yelka, Tibideau, Janos, and Drosil become aware of Aaron in the woods near the Schloss. They can feel his pain and misery at being so alone and misunderstood through the bond, and along with it they feel control over him. By some instinctual working of the magic, the four operators know their thoughts now control the Beast of Lepidstadt.
At the same time, the loud crackling of the lightning, the humming of the Storm Caller and the whining of the Thrall has alerted whatever construct monstrosity lurks in the chamber below to their presence. There is a loud crashing noise, and a moment later something slams into the shutters closing off the top level of the tower from the roof, denting part of the metal doors outward. It doesn't appear the shutters will hold long.
Anton roars above the thrum of the machinery.
Desna guide my path. he whispers. Show me the way, my Song of Spheres!
Dantrian's fur bristles and his ears perk up moments before the creature below slams into the shuttered window. He drinks a protective elixir then turns and regards the others huddled around the bondslave thrall. He grants the group a single, slow and knowing nod before turning back to the window and dashing toward it.
HP: 52/52 +6 temp // 5 non-lethal
AC: 26 [15 T/ 25 FF] (+6 armor, +1 dex, +5 natural, +4 shield)
CMD: 19
F/R/W: +6/+6/+4
Spontaneous Healing used: 0/35hp
Hero Points used: 5/7
Prepared Mutagen: Strength (darkvision, scent) [X]
Prepared 1st Level Extracts (3+1): cure light wounds [ ], shield [X] [X] [X], open [ ]
Prepared 2nd Level Extracts (3+1): ablative barrier [X], barkskin [X], false life [X], levitate [X]
Prepared 3rd Level Extracts (1+1): thorn body [X] [ ]
-Ongoing Effects-
mutagen: 65/70 minutes used
barkskin: 65/70 minutes used
ablative barrier: 5/35 damage converted, 7 hours
shield: 1/10 rounds, 1/7 minutes
"Ho, boy, that thing does not seem happy..." He proceeds to begin tying the rope around each of the party members activating the Thrall, starting with B'yelka, then Janos and himself. "If that thing gets up here, I don't relish it knocking us off..."
B'yelka shouts to Dantrian, "Aaron is coming!" She then raises her voice, sharing it into the wind.
"I...I can feel him!" Janos tries to use whatever he remembers from his long ago lessons in magic to project their need on the Beast of Lepidstadt
Dantrian's fur bristles and his ears perk up moments before the creature below slams into the shuttered window. He drinks a protective elixir then turns and regards the others huddled around the bondslave thrall. He grants the group a single, slow and knowing nod before turning back to the window and dashing toward it.
** spoiler omitted **
Tibideau puts a charm on Dantrian. A burst of fuschia glitter swirling around his head begins to turn fate in his favor. "Be careful, Dan! I don't like the sounds of that thing!" he calls after the alchemist, with concern in his voice. As he says this, another bolt of lighting strikes him. This time the witch doesn't manage to dodge the electricity and his muscles spasm as it arcs through him. "Augh!" he cries in pain.
Whatever is lurking in the tower slams into the metal shutters two more times, and the second blow sends the doors flying off their tracks and off the sides of the tower to tumble down into the falls below. Emerging from the tower below is a thing of nightmare. It is much larger than Aaron, and also much more alien and grotesque than the Beast could ever be. Its head is that of a malformed man, melting into arachnid features that don't belong. It's vaguely humanoid body has two enormous, muscled arms that end in giant crab pincers, and an uncountable number of rubbery octopoid tentacles squirming off of its torso. Eight hairy, segmented legs that belong on a spider the size of a cottage emerge one by one into the light, propelling the whole monstrous thing upward. It stops within easy reach of Dantrian, glaring at the miniscule alchemist clinging to the ladder above it.
================================
B'yelka sees the absolute monstrosity that comes ripping from the tower and has to fight to hold down her gorge. She interweaves the words for a spell into her song and fervently hopes for the thing not to look at her! To Aaron, she calls out, Hurry, my friend!!!
Inwardly, Dantrian withers at the sight of the monstronsity before him. Even were the Beast but a few steps away, I do not think I could hold this monster at bay long enough to protect the others. Shaking his head at the hopeless task before him and at the obvious madness that must have created the Promethean, Dantrian takes a steadying breath and steels himself.
In a flash of fur and fang, Dantrian throws himself from the ladder and streaks through the air toward the promethean's face, a feral growl rising over the din of the wind and machinery.
HP: 52/52 +6 temp // 5 non-lethal
AC: 27 [16 T/ 25 FF] (+6 armor, +1 dex, +5 natural, +4 shield, +1 haste)
CMD: 21
F/R/W: +6/+7/+4
Spontaneous Healing used: 0/35hp
Hero Points used: 6/7
Prepared Mutagen: Strength (darkvision, scent) [X]
Prepared 1st Level Extracts (3+1): cure light wounds [ ], shield [X] [X] [X], open [ ]
Prepared 2nd Level Extracts (3+1): ablative barrier [X], barkskin [X], false life [X], levitate [X]
Prepared 3rd Level Extracts (1+1): thorn body [X] [ ]
-Ongoing Effects-
mutagen: 65/70 minutes used
barkskin: 65/70 minutes used
ablative barrier: 5/35 damage converted, 7 hours
shield: 1/10 rounds, 1/7 minutes
haste (+1 to hit, +1 dodge to AC, +1 reflex, +30ft movement): 1/7 rounds
inspire courage: +2 to hit/+2 damage
good hope: +2 morale to hit, damage, saves, skill checks, ability checks
The witch can grant a creature within 30 feet a bit of good luck for 1 round. The target can call upon this good luck once per round, allowing him to reroll any ability check, attack roll, saving throw, or skill check, taking the better result. He must decide to use this ability before the first roll is made. At 8th level and 16th level, the duration of this hex is extended by 1 round. Once a creature has benefited from the fortune hex, it cannot benefit from it again for 24 hours.
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One of the construct's massive pincers fleshes out with lightning speed to intercept Dantrian in midair. It clamps down on the alchemist with a crunch, trapping him.
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The thing that erupts from the grate is a nightmare in all but name. Anton watches in slowly dawning horror as it pulls itself up through the hole, it's inhuman howl carried on the wind like some fell screech.
He is a man who wears his faith like a cloak that protects him from any horror this world has to offer. He can't remember the last time he felt truly afraid but even he feels the icy claw of fear crawl up his spine.
But he is made of stern stuff and with a grimace he turns to the others;
Whatever you are doing, do it FAST! Dantrian and I will hold it as best we can!
He leans out over the edge of the platform, trying not to think about the dizzying height, and fires arrow after arrow at the terror.
Desna, please! We need you more than ever!
and
Drosil leans over the side of the ledge and fires his crossbow at the thing as well, then drops the crossbow and draws his daggers in preparation for the onslaught.
Janos grits his teeth and squeezes his eyes shut, trying to block out the battle chaos around to urge the Beast onward.
B'yelka sees the absolute monstrosity that comes ripping from the tower and has to fight to hold down her gorge. She interweaves the words for a spell into her song and fervently hopes for the thing not to look at her! To Aaron, she calls out, Hurry, my friend!!!
Inwardly, Dantrian withers at the sight of the monstronsity before him. Even were the Beast but a few steps away, I do not think I could hold this monster at bay long enough to protect the others. Shaking his head at the hopeless task before him and at the obvious madness that must have created the Promethean, Dantrian takes a steadying breath and steels himself.
In a flash of fur and fang, Dantrian throws himself from the ladder and streaks through the air toward the promethean's face, a feral growl rising over the din of the wind and machinery. One of the construct's massive pincers fleshes out with lightning speed to intercept Dantrian in midair. It clamps down on the alchemist with a crunch, trapping him.
The thing that erupts from the grate is a nightmare in all but name. Anton watches in slowly dawning horror as it pulls itself up through the hole, it's inhuman howl carried on the wind like some fell screech.
He is a man who wears his faith like a cloak that protects him from any horror this world has to offer. He can't remember the last time he felt truly afraid but even he feels the icy claw of fear crawl up his spine.
But he is made of stern stuff and with a grimace he turns to the others; "Whatever you are doing, do it FAST! Dantrian and I will hold it as best we can!"
He leans out over the edge of the platform, trying not to think about the dizzying height, and fires arrow after arrow at the terror. Desna, please! We need you more than ever! Three of his arrows manage to penetrate the back of the Promethean's head.
Drosil leans over the side of the ledge and fires his crossbow at the thing as well, then drops the crossbow and draws his daggers in preparation for the onslaught. The bolt hits the Promethean, but bounces harmlessly off it.
Janos grits his teeth and squeezes his eyes shut, trying to block out the battle chaos around to urge the Beast onward. He can feel Aaron barreling through the forest, closing rapidly on the Schloss.
Tibideau continues to cackle, and also tries to bend fate against the Promethean. Black glitter buzzes angrily around its head, distracting the construct.
Lightning seems to have a strong affinity for the witch, as yet another bolt strikes at Tibideau. He dodges and again, the magical field of the Bonslave Thrall absorbs the energy of the bolt. "Strike someone else!" the witch yells at the electricity between cackles.
The Promethean already has Dantrian in its grip, and does what it was created to do - kill. It lets go of the alchemist, dropping him on the roof before it attacks him twice again. Tibideau's curse prevents one of creature's pincers from snapping shut on Dantrian, but the second one still finds its target. The Promethean crushes the alchemist in its pincer again, before transferring him to its tentacles. The slimy limbs wrap tightly around Dantrian, coating him in a secretion of some kind and continuing to crush him.
================================
_________________________________
Fail
Hit
Miss
Still hit
Grabbed
The sound of Dantrian’s bones splintering and flesh rending is sickening – this creature is by far the worst of the horrors they have encountered in their days travelling together.
Anton briefly wonders what mind could conceive to create such a thing, what weak a wounded creature would spawn a terror so foul. But all thoughts other than destroying the thing and saving his friend are pushed to one side as he reaches for more arrows, dropping several from the dizzying height in his haste.
Fight, Dan, make that thing regret it ever laid it’s claws on you!
and
Seeing the devestatign effect of the monster's grip, B'yelka chooses the discretion over Valor. She Whistles two notes and fades from view. Her song still hangs on the wind, continuing it's boosting effect.
Dantrian suffers a brutal series of attacks at the Promethan's hands, a number of shattering, crushing blows that should have shorn him two. The alchemist's protections and curse work in tandem though to, impossibly, preserve his life. Despite his protections, the savage assault is enough to render him unconscious and he goes limp in the Promethean's claws before it shifts him over to its tentacled embrace.
HP: -1/52 // 20 non-lethal
AC: 27 [16 T/ 25 FF] (+6 armor, +1 dex, +5 natural, +4 shield, +1 haste)
CMD: 21
F/R/W: +8/+9/+6 (includes haste + good hope)
Spontaneous Healing used: 5/35hp
Hero Points used: 0/3
Prepared Mutagen: Strength (darkvision, scent) [X]
Prepared 1st Level Extracts (3+1): cure light wounds [ ], shield [X] [X] [X], open [ ]
Prepared 2nd Level Extracts (3+1): ablative barrier [X], barkskin [X], false life [X], levitate [X]
Prepared 3rd Level Extracts (1+1): thorn body [X] [ ]
-Ongoing Effects-
mutagen: 65/70 minutes used
barkskin: 65/70 minutes used
ablative barrier: 25/35 damage converted, 7 hours
shield: 2/10 rounds, 1/7 minutes
haste (+1 to hit, +1 dodge to AC, +1 reflex, +30ft movement): 2/7 rounds
inspire courage: +2 to hit/+2 damage
good hope: +2 morale to hit, damage, saves, skill checks, ability checks
blur: 20% miss chance
Janos wills the Beast closer, knowing they may be out of time. "Someone help me! Take control of Aaron!"