There are two more buildings behind this one, but no apparent way to reach them. That is until Drosil does a search of the great dining hall . He finds a secret door there. The door leads to short hallway, then another door. On the other side is a narrow stone bridge without a handrail lies above the roaring river waters as they are drawn over the edge of the falls. The bridge ends at a narrow
stone terrace with a wooden door.
Drosil steps forward nervously. "I haven't had much good luck with bridges and doors lately..." Still, he examines the door thoroughly before confirming whether it is locked, and dealing with it, if so.
This large workshop is crammed with alchemical equipment, but an explosion of some kind has ripped away the western wall, leaving a large gap in the floor and wall open, now wreathed with scaffolding. It looks as if a stone bridge once connected this building with another on the far side of the gorge, but only a slender rope bridge now hangs between the two.
Within the wreckage are three large, four legged, insectoid creatures. They have long tails, with sail-like fans at the end, and long feathery antennae.
B'yelka traila along at the end of the Six, her mind distracted by the ominous feeling that pervades the Schloss. This is the wrong stage!
Janos moves forward, seeing the insect like creature. He speaks loudly in a low, reverberating voice, knowing how insects often feel words rather than hearing them. "Go now! Flee from this place!" He hold his arms out like pincers hopefully prodding them to move.
Those are the biggest bloody ants I've ever seen. Careful Janos. the archer says pensively.
Tibideau's jaw drops when they enter the ruined laboratory. "What... HAPPENED here?" he asks. He almost leaps backward in fright at the sight of the ants, but composes himself long enough to try to identify them.
"It's definitely a big bloody ant. That's all I can say, which is fine by me. People who spend a lot of time reading about bugs are WEIRD," he declares.
Anton:
Drosil:
B'Yelka:
Dantrian:
Tibideau:
Janos:
Party 17.8
Rust Monsters 12
As the Six enter the ruined lab, and Janos makes overtures to the creatures, they turn towards the humanoids. The creatures chitter, and begin to advance aggressively towards the Six.
____________________________
Drosil moves to his right, drawing his daggers and skirting around the creature there, and plants one of his daggers in the creature's exposed flank.
Janos follows Drosil to flank one of the creatures. He swings his sword in a deadly arc at the insect's head.
Anton’s skin crawls as he sees the oversized insects scuttle through the rubble toward Janos and Drosil. As the pair engage with the creatures, he too raises his bow to add to the fight, hoping that seeing one or two destroyed will frighten off the rest.
Dantrian dashes forward, and starts to draw his mace as has been his usual tactic. As he reconizes the creatures for what they are though, he instead lashes out with a sweep of one of his clawed hands. "Mind your metallic possessions! These creatures are colloquially known as 'rust monsters'. Their secretions cause metal to rust or errode with frightful speed. Keep your distance if you can!"
HP: 52/52 +2 temp // 5 non-lethal
AC: 22 [11 T/ 21 FF] (+6 armor, +1 dex, +5 natural)
CMD: 19
F/R/W: +6/+6/+4
Spontaneous Healing used: 25/35hp
Hero Points used: 3/7
Prepared Mutagen: Strength (darkvision, scent) [X]
Prepared 1st Level Extracts (3+1): cure light wounds [ ], shield [ ] [X], open [ ] [ ]
Prepared 2nd Level Extracts (3+1): ablative barrier [X], barkskin [X], false life [X], open [ ]
Prepared 3rd Level Extracts (1+1): thorn body [ ] [ ]
-Ongoing Effects-
mutagen: 30/70 minutes remaining
barkskin: 30/70 minutes remaining
ablative barrier: 5/35 damage converted, 7 hours
power attack: -2/+4(+6)
B'yelka begins a song inspiring the boys to do their worst to these horrid things.
Tibideau nods in agreement with Dantrian. "Yep, rust monsters. I knew it the whole time." Of course HE would know. He looks back at B'yelka. "Red, mind your jewels."
The witch scratches his head, pondering his next move. "I wonder if ants like sleeping?" He concentrates on the ant in his line of sight and makes up a nonsensical lullaby about metal ant babies.
HP 42/44
AC 18
Ongoing Effects:
Mage Armor, about 6.5 hours remaining
Level 0: Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Guidance, Message
Level 1: Enlarge Person x2, Infernal Healing
Level 2: Cure Moderate Wounds x1, Glitterdust
Level 3: Dispel Magic, Summon Monster III
As the Six enter the ruined lab, and Janos makes overtures to the creatures, they turn towards the humanoids. The creatures chitter, and begin to advance aggressively towards the Six.
Drosil moves to his right, drawing his daggers and skirting around the creature there, and plants one of his daggers in the creature's exposed flank.
Janos follows Drosil to flank one of the creatures. He swings his sword in a deadly arc at the insect's head. Between the two of them, the critter is killed before it could even really react.
B'yelka begins a song inspiring the boys to do their worst to these horrid things.
Anton’s skin crawls as he sees the oversized insects scuttle through the rubble toward Janos and Drosil. As the pair engage with the creatures, he too raises his bow to add to the fight, hoping that seeing one or two destroyed will frighten off the rest. Two of his arrows fell another of the creatures.
Dantrian dashes forward, and starts to draw his mace as has been his usual tactic. As he reconizes the creatures for what they are though, he instead lashes out with a sweep of one of his clawed hands. "Mind your metallic possessions! These creatures are colloquially known as 'rust monsters'. Their secretions cause metal to rust or errode with frightful speed. Keep your distance if you can!" The momentum of his charge causes his claws to rip along the side of the creatures carapace, cracking it neatly open like a clam. The thing spasms a couple of times before it dies.
Dantrian takes a few rumbling breaths after the rust monster falls before he rises back to his normally rigid posture. Looking at the trio of the now unmoving creatures, he remarks, "Well done. We've been beset by enough setbacks and troubles in this venture so far, having needed equipment deteriorate to the point of non-use could have stopped us in our proverbial tracks."
With the immediate threat dealt with, the lupine alchemist turns his attentions to the ruined lab. "I wonder what caused such devasation to this lab. A shame; by the look of it, this was likely a rather well appointed facility before the loss of this wall."
It can't have been anything good. Anton replies, walking to the hole in the wall and looking out over the expansive vista. Still, this room has an unbelievable view, now. he adds with a laugh.
Whatever happened it was strong enough to take out the bridge as well.
Dantrian glances to the rope bridge as Anton mentions it and nods, "Let's hope this bridge isn't guarded in the same fashion as the front door."
Aye. Well it looks dangerous enough as it is. he says, eyeing the swaying rope bridge warily.
B'yelka feels much better as she moves into the room. "Fewer bridges is probably a good thing."
Janos moves over to the rope bridge and tests the anchors on the near end to see how well they are holding. "Tibi, maybe you can fly to the other end with a rope to help us cross?"
Dantrian sees nothing usable under all the rubble.
Beyond the scaffolding, a slender rope bridge swings out toward a two-story building with a tower across the gorge.
After what happened on the other bridge, let's be careful here. B'yelka are you able to cast your floating spell again? he asks hopefully.
Drosil sends his knotted rope of climbing snaking its way across the bridge. Once at the other side, he commands it to attach itself to anything that looks remotely sturdy. Then, holding it tightly, he begins to make his way across.
Anton:
Drosil:
B'Yelka:
Dantrian:
Tibideau:
Janos:
Erinyes:
Erinyes 13
Party 12.3
Drosil makes it about halfway across the bridge before a fiery portal opens in the air to the north of the bridge. It belches forth a black-winged angel, who reeks of sulfur and is covered in old dried blood. She wields a flaming longbow and screams in fury as she sends four burning arrows at the surprised rogue. Three of them pierce Drosil's chest nearly driving him to unconsciousness as his lungs deflate and sizzle.
_________________________________________
Hit x3
Screaming at Anton to clear the way, Drosil rushes back to the relative safety of the ruined laboratory and throws himself to the ground.
"It's an Erinyes! A b&*@# that won't come to us to fight-she'll just shower us with arrows until we're dead. She won't leave just because she's bored!"
Recalling an Opera that was only in the theater a year before she left, about a mother defending her family against the agents of House Thrune. B'yelka strikes a pose and begins, "Woe to ye burning b&#~@! For your work against my family, the death of my son and your eternal torments, shall your wings be cumbered by truth and light, your will bent and broken by Aroden's might!" Of course the Diva forgets the next act where the Erinyes gleefully tortures the matron for her defiance...
"Pull back! Maybe we can taunt her into coming within reach. B'yelka, I think that's right up your alley." Janos moves deeper into the corner of the room, unslinging his bow.
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Drosil, No!
Anton looks up at the winged horror, his fury rising like a storm.
No, Janos. It dies here and now! Wherever you came from, this is your last day, monster!
Anton's arm moves in a blur and as he calls upon Desna's righteous might, he sends shaft after shaft of gleaming death toward the winged creature.
The paladin's righteous fury manifests in a rain of shining missiles which instantly obliterate the fiend.
He gives a satisfied nod as the body flutters and tumbles into the gorge before spinning around to his friends, a big stupid grin on his face:
Come on, that was a good shot, right?
Dantrian hardly even has a chance to register what has happened to Drosil before Anton dispatches the erinyes with stupefying ease. He turns, slowly, to regard the cheering paladin, his wolfish face a mask of stoicism.
When I lose at last to this dreadful curse, he may be able to stop me - so long as sentiment doesn't spoil his aim.
His stoicism cracks for a moment, and Dantrian's expression seems peaceful, almost relieved. He nods deeply to Anton, "Expertly done, Anton." And just as quickly as it had vanished, his familiar stoicism returns as the alchemist turns to Drosil then Tibideau. "Tibideau, have you the means still to aid Drosil? What little powers I have in the healing arts are nearly exhausted."
B'yelka openly guffaws at Anton's righteous power. Apparently she can be bribed by a Paladin's arrows... "Bravo to the strength of strings!"[/b[ She bows to Anton, obviously impressed by his, late, accuracy.
To Dantrian, [b]"Mister Almaeus, I think we are all near our limits of endurance. We need to rest soon."
Janos' jaw drops as Anton sends deadly missile fire and completely destroys the Erinye. "Wow, Anton. Desna's grace abounds. We are blessed to be your companions."
Drosil stands, shaking with the effort. He looks to his childhood friend and smiles. "Glad I could draw her out for you, Anton, but I think the others feel a little cheated." He looks to Tibideau, "I don't suppose you want to go search the body of that thing? That bow seems like it might make quite a prize." Then, to everyone. "If it's all the same to the rest of you, I say we head back to those comfortable-looking beds and rest up; I'm done for now."
Antons smile fades as Drosil struggles back toward the others.
Never mind the bow, buddy. he says, ducking beneath his friends arms and supporting him. We can't help anyone in our current condition, let's get you sorted out first.
Finally, someone listening to sense!
Janos nods. "This place has been quite taxing. Let's regroup. At least we know where there are provisions."
B'yelka says, "Naturaly I will take the master bedroom. Dear husband, care to join me?" She opens the door to the room and strides in.
Once the door is closed behind her, she sighs, "Can you believe the gall? I mean Anton's courage is admirable, but Mister Almaeus is just inhuman! It's not the teeth, though scary, it's the coldness! Oh, and poor Drosil! Everything we have found here has had his number!" She sits down and pulls off her boots, "We'll have to buy new clothes when we get back, but that's ok. We can always go shopping, right?" She stands back up, and turns down the bed. "Here, unlace me, dear boy." Once that's been done, she crosses the room in her stocking feet. She sits in front of the mirror and begins brushing out her hair, her mind wandering as she feels like she could really relax. At least for now.
Anton feels comfortable resting uninvited in another man's bed not at all.
With the situation in the manse still unclear and the location of the owner no clearer, the paladin opts for caution and restraint.
This has been a hard day for all of us. But you should all get some rest. I'm going to stay downstairs by the fire. I don't trust this place at all so I will take all our watches, and call on Desnas grace once morning breaks
As the others begin to settle in, with Tibideau and B'yelka dashing into the well appointed bed room with unsurprising haste, Dantrian knocks on Drosil's door once the fetchling has had time to take a few minutes to breathe. "Drosil? If you do not mind, I would like to take a look at your leg before you bed down for the night."
---
After seeing to Drosil, Dantrian begins to search for a private place in which to pass the long hours of night, but seeing the firelight from around a corner he changes his mind. He enters the room and takes a seat across from Anton without saying anything, simply staring into the fire for a long minute in silence. Eventually he does speak, though he never takes his eyes from the flames.
"The curse will take me soon. I cannot offer a precise time or date, but it will be soon - within a few days perhaps, not more than a week in all likelihood." He pauses for a moment before continuing, "I was not myself earlier today. After the curse manifested, I was not always in control, it- fought me. Very soon, I fear I will not have the power to overcome it." He stops at this point and turns to face Anton, his face stone-like. "When that happens, if I prove to be a threat to any of you, I need to know you will do what must be done. If you hesitate- Anton, you must not hesitate."
---
Dantrian emerges from his solitude the following morning, but the curse has already exerted itself upon him. He looks to each of the others and offers, "Perhaps I should cross the bridge first? If that erinyes can be summoned again by whatever magics secure the bridge, I believe I could weather her arrows best among us."
HP: 52/52 +17 temp
AC: 22 [11 T/ 21 FF] (+6 armor, +1 dex, +5 natural)
CMD: 19
F/R/W: +6/+6/+4
Spontaneous Healing used: 0/35hp
Hero Points used: 3/7
Prepared Mutagen: Strength (darkvision, scent) [X]
Prepared 1st Level Extracts (3+1): cure light wounds [ ], shield [ ] [ ], open [ ] [ ]
Prepared 2nd Level Extracts (3+1): ablative barrier [X], barkskin [X], false life [X], open [ ]
Prepared 3rd Level Extracts (1+1): thorn body [ ] [ ]
-Ongoing Effects-
mutagen: 70/70 minutes remaining
barkskin: 70/70 minutes remaining
ablative barrier: 0/35 damage converted, 7 hours
Anton sees the steely looks in Dantrian's eye. There is determination there, no doubt, but something else too. Frustration? Resignation? Maybe even regret.
The paladin turns away and looks into the fire for a long time without saying anything.
Eventually, he begins speaking, though he doesn't look at the alchemist.
When I first saw the curse take you... I thought about what would happen if you lost control while we were fighting for our lives, who you would go for first and what you might do to them.
I also thought about putting an arrow in your back. A moments dishonour for the peace of mind it would afford. I couldn't of course, it only crossed my mind for a moment and still I felt the shame of it for days after.
He takes a small silver hip flask from his coat pocket and drinks deeply of it.
Brandy. he says, by way of explanation. I brought it with me from Lepistadt. I'd sooner sleep in a man's bed that touch his spirits. He offers the flask to the alchemist who declines with an almost imperceptible shake of his head.
I wonder if you've ever considered what you were doing with the Professor for all that time, Dantrian. I mean, aside from the equations and the formula and everything else. I am not a smart man, and I never knew him as you did, but could it have been that his potions and teachings were not to help you arrive at a cure for your condition? Perhaps there is no cure and he knew that from the off but also knew your state of mind was such that you could not accept that news. Forgive me, my friend, but we both know we will never see eye to eye on some things. I'm sure you would call it tenacity whereas I call it blood-mindedness. I can be the same, don't get me wrong, that episode at the Chymic Works can testify to that.
What I'm saying is, maybe these potions were to delay the full effects of the curse until he could teach you to accept it and control it. With him gone, you will have to learn yourself. But I have never met a man with an iron will such as yourself Dantrian and if there is no cure for what you have, only control - I would wager on you finding that not in your chemicals and maths, but in yourself.
He reaches across the chairs and puts his hand on Dantrian's shoulder.
In short, have faith, my friend.
Leaning back he sighs.
But until you find it, yes. I will watch and I will keep an arrow for you.
Anton eyes the bridge again. He was somehow hoping it would seem less intimidating in the cold morning light. It doesn't. And he readies himself to do battle once again when Dantrian crosses.