Suny fights fully defensively until reinforcements arrive.
The mastiff on her attacks missing by a wide margin the elusive Suny.
The hell hound on Suny withdraws, and the hyena tries to rip into it, but misses badly.
The two dogs at the front of the warehouse are bleeding massively.
The mastiff rips at Thalas as the hound withdraws into the shadows.
Wil snaps his hammer back into his belt, letting it clang to the ground without so much as a twitch as his eyes stared into the darkness. "Your not getting away..."
As Thalas goes down he gives a grunt and circles the hound, drawing the bastard sword in a single fluid motion. The unnatural warmth that the steel radiated was a welcomed feeling in his cold hands. This time however he didn't hold the flames back, he welcomed their judgement and the light it would provide. "Ylcaillair aeym oyma..." As the flames danced, surged and screamed with something to consume.
Getting up behind it would hopefully allow Thalas the time to take it down. He didn't find the act dishonorable as this wasn't a person, it was meager hound and a cultists beast at that. This was a mercy, a quick merciful death...
Attacking the hounds once more, Eirel sends a mental thought to Who that he should arrive and maybe help them a little.
Thalas strikes at the mastiff, eager to see to Eirel and Elesandriel.
Wil and Thalas cut down the large mastiff near the door. Eirel and Suny hold the one in the rear at bay.
The hyena attacks the Mastiff again, flanking Eirel with a +1 from the bannermaiden.
Seltyn will cast a force missile at it, too.
message: Let's dispatch these things before the hellhounds come back, and take a look around.
As the large dog dropped finally he turned to aid his other comrades and found their opponent was under heavy attack. Knowing the Mastiff wouldn't last long he turned his attention to the ones that had retreated.
He approached Thalas who was minorly injured, laying his hand on his shoulder and infusing him with the healing strength of the Elven Father. "Feeling Better? Could you cast light on my armor please?"
Swinging once more at the same hound.
The large dogs go down to the determined assault.
Trails of blackish hound blood trail into the distance. The scraping of feet continues as the wounded black yellow-eyed hounds rush to the rear of the warehouse.
"Of course, Wil," he thanked the paladin, casting Light on Wil's shield. "Now go, and I'll see to Eiril and Elesandriel."
He nods in thanks to Thalas and turns towards the darkness with his buckler casting light before him before plunging headlong after the enemy...
He slipped north along the wall, trailing the blackish blood of his opponent and intending fully to end the creature so that they could continue with their mission...
Suny holds her hands over her wounds.
"Nasty critters..." She huffs, "An' they smell bad too..." Though she moves along after the fighters, nodding and smiling in thanks when Wil helps her with a little healing.
Azlain runs after the blood trail with Wil, reversing his grip on his blade and leaning forward for as much speed as he can muster.
The right rear room seems to be for weapons storage. Pikes, military picks, longswords, and greatswords seem to dominate a diverse selection of weapons.
The forward left room the forward hound retreats through has armor in rack and along the wall. Suits of chain mail and breastplates are stacked throughout.
Wil and Azlain are after the 'left' hound. Eirel and Suny recover from their attack.
When suny emerged, wounded and naked to the world again... Wil stopped in midstride, allowing Azlain to take the lead if he wanted as he tended to Suny. He placed his hand on her bare shoulder. "Deep breath Suny..." Being distracted as he was the healing he bestowed upon Suny wasn't the best that he could muster and with their opponents in flight he had to try and close the distance. Her wounds however closed up, looking slightly better despite being red and puffy like fresh scar tissue. If he administered to her again she would be restored to an uninjured state. He spoke to her momentarily before sweeping forward once more trying to catch upto the fleeing hound and Azlain. "Follow me we have to finish this quickly."
Eirel will move at the best possible speed to follow with the rest of the group. There was little time, they needed the maximum effect.
The hyena will chase the hound on its side until the spell ends.
Seltyn enters the room and casts dancing lights.
Let's see if we're missing anything. Someone detect some magic, and have a look at the gear. We'll take whatever's valuable, and torch the rest. Let's be quick about it!
Thalas complies with Seltyn's request and casts Detect Magic, looking around the room while Wil, Azlain, and maybe Elesandriel chase after the hell hounds.
He then begins quickly sorting through the more mundane items in the warehouse for anything "interesting".
The hounds have retreated into the back left corner. Signs are marked in common to 'Keep Out'. As the group advances into the room, the hounds leap onto the altar and are consumed in flame.
A dark altar with a fresh human body on it is in the corner. Many cauldrons and an extremely well stocked (mwork) alchemists lab are arranged in this room.
Wil looks down at their feet as they advance and see symbols of a spider like insignia, the holy symbol Rovagug disciples seem to favor. A burst of magic fills the area as one of the larger symbols pulses and then fades.
They symbol triggers a wracking pain that floods the warehouse.
Thalas screams as a wave of agony overwhelms him, falling to the floor in writhing agony.
There are no immediate threats, and no magic is detected in any of the three quarters of the warehouse, except the left rear quarter, where there is evil and magic aplenty.
Cauldrons, bubbling alchemists potions, and an altar with three fresh sacrifices are evident.
A set of cultists ropes with hoods and goldbraided rope belts (6 total) are also hanging. The same spider symbol dominate the decoration of the robes.
Like a great serpent of destruction he saw the evil magic rise up, striking out in every direction and as it washed over him he roared in outrage. "ENOUGH!" Throwing aside the Destroyers influence with the aid of the All Father righteous hand. He stormed into the room, cursing the cowardice of the destroyers filthy servants long after they vanished into a burst of flames. Seeing the body stilled his outrage, leaving him feeling lost for a moment. He cast his eye into the room, seeking to find what other evil awaited to strike out at him.
Suny winces, whimpers and other wise grits her teeth as pain washes through her. Though she hold her hands over the dog bites as well.
"Okay..." She manages "How d'we turn this off?" She hisses.
The evil within the place was certainly palpable, but beyond the initial shock of it, has no further effect upon Eirel. He notices Thalas go down in pain, and Suny feeling ill from it.
I suspect by destroying that shrine. Only thing is that destroying it might anger the God to whom it is dedicated. Still, we must do so. Who, come to me and help
An ape lollops into the warehouse, dragging its knuckles on the floor and soon sets to ripping the place apart with a will. Eirel helps it.
Elorin enters the room and almost immediately drops to the ground in pain.
One hand wrapped around her as much as possible and the other outstretched on the cold floor taking some of her weight. Her legs folded underneath her.
'I only know of two things that cause pain when just entering a room and seen as my weapons tutor isn't here, I'm putting it down two the first one.' She would have tried to think of a way to stop it, had her head not been busy trying to ignore the pain.
Shaking a little as she stood up, but soon righting herself she stepped forward towards what looked like an alter. Carefully looking around for any clues as to what may be gong on. Paying particular attention to the body. Though staying further than her arms length from it at this point.
"EIREL TATENAIAS STOP THAT RIGHT NOW!" She sharply shouted with a tone any stern parant would be proud of.
"There may be clues as to what is going on here and you and Who are destroying this place like petulant children. There is a dead body here, Show some respect!"
It is perfectly clear what is going on here. Rovagug, the destroyer of all has a shrine here, and has taken these cultists lives. To dissapate his influence whilst the rest of you look for baubles that might help the Elven cause, I am seeking to destroy this shrine, dissipating the influence and returning this area to its natural balance. Clues? What clues are needed? Yes there are bodies, but I would still do this, as I believe that a part of respecting the bodies is by ridding them from the presence of this blight.
Elorin turns her head ever so slowly towards Eirel when he replies. Turning her body to match the direction she was looking in and moving, coolly over to him. Each step carefully in slow time with the next. Stalking Eirel the way a large cat would.
She reaches him after a few agonizing moments and She looks Eirel square in the eyes her intention very clear both in body language and the tone in her voice. "I wish to destroy this cult so much that it reaches back and destroys the very god itself. Eirel believe me when I say I will take that force of will and use it to stop you right now if I have to. I owe a lot to someone who is being held by these fiends and if there is a clue here that may help us then it is worth more than life to me. No matter the life!" She didn't actually mean the last part and as the words left her mouth she instantly regretted it. It showed on her face.
Tears begin to show in her eyes as she leans in to whisper once more. Her voice cracking from the tears "So stop while it is still you choice."
She allows a few moments for her words to sink in before standing up right and saying aloud. "Who is in a excruciating amount of pain." Elorin was not lying and anyone can clearly see why she knows it, as she is also in that amount of pain.
"I can see it, you clearly can not or you do you care more about destruction than healing? Destroying this place will not stop that pain. Leaving the room will. At the very least show your companion that you care about him and ask him to leave."
Suny winces, showing the pain she is feeling.
"Aye, but there's got'a be a way ta' turn it off, right?" She asks.
"Gods damn you if you enter that room before I finish!" Is all he could growl out as some stumbled t their way around as he tried to focus on any evil that may remain in the room before him. "This is a house of the Destroyer and that may not be the only effect in place. If you want to be useful, help Seltyn get the item we came here for Dammit."
He pulled free his holy symbol, raised it above his head and drew upon the deep well that was his faith as he silently prayed...
...this time as the energy enveloped those nearby their wounds sealed up quickly and more efficiently than last time. Red puffy scar tissue was replaced by unblemished skin as if the wound was never there. The sudden rush of warmth, love and joy momentarily brushed aside the pain that the destroyers symbol had created...
Seltyn, surprised to be unaffected by the symbol, tries to understand what's with the shrine.
Seltyn points out that they triggered a magic symbol of arcane power. It may trigger again if they are still in the vicinity of it when the magic resets.
Wil resists the evil effects, and concentrates on the area around him. After a third of a minute, he realizes there is an extreme chaotic evil aura on the altar, and moderate auras on the cauldrons. The auras may be broken if the evil is consecrated.
A rack of many potions in different stages of completion stand in beakers. Four vials of acid and four vials of alchemist fire are obvious to Seltyn, Elorin, and Suny given their commonality in magic stores.
Bannermaiden save
The bannermaiden calmly walks into the evil chamber unaffected.
"I guess we start the blaze."
The bannermaiden grabs two vials of alchemists flame with one in hand and one tucked awkwardly under an arm.
Wil relay's what he found. "THe altar barea a terrible presence as does the cauldrons." Upon hearing what Seltyn said he grimaces, not wishing the others to come to harm again and hurries into the room to start clearing out the cultists stash.
As he thought on how they could cleans the shrine he snagged up the cultists robes and used the various bits to wrap up and stash as many of the potions as possible into his backpack. "Take these robes they may come in handy one day."
Azlain barely notices the pain. It pales in comparison to what he lived with every day until just recently.
He sticks close to Wil, unsure of what to do regarding the cauldrons and rituals, but he takes the robes as ordered.
"If we plan on burning this place then we need to take anything that we can that is exceptional. Everything small, grab what weapons we can and even suits of armor if were able. Lets make this worth it, for our homeland!"
Wartime rewarded those brave enough to take some chances and if he was able he would crush the altar before leaving. To strike a heavy blow against the Destroyer and is pathetic minions.
Eirel pauses when Elorin begins speaking to him. If you owe much to a friend who is held by these fools who worship the Destroyer, then I will stop. I ran ahead without thinking, my apologies. Who, get back from there till you feel ok again. You are right Lady Elorin, I acted poorly. What would you command me do? He looks at the shrine once more.
I suspect if we wanted to dissipate the aura, then the aura of another god would need to be introduced into this place. How that is done is beyond me however.
The gold-braided belts maybe worth something. Actually, the cultist robes might make useful disguises for getting out of here. Let's grab the vials and whatever potions look completed, and we'll identify them later.
Seltyn starts grabbing the acid vials and putting them in his pack. Then, he puts on one of the robes.
Suny, Elorin and Eirel, put on some of these robes, and we'll walk out of here. The locals won't be too eager to mess with us.
Flambeaux, get ready to torch this place.
Let's get out of here before that trap resets. We'll throw the alchemist fire all at once, and run away, yelling "Fire!" That should keep 'em distracted long enough to run to the boat and leave this cursed place, and disrupt their supply line. For Radriel!
If we work together, we should be able to do all that in 2-4 rounds, then we'll run to the ship. I've got some blasts prepped if we run into trouble.
Sounds good?
Thalas stands back up with some effort. The pain effect from the alter seemed to have affected him strongly than most of the rest of his companions, as they carried on almost as normal.
"I fear I shall not be of use; whatever is causing this has affected me greatly," he gasps. "I will await you in the courtyard, where I may at least watch for any guards to approach."
Thalas then walks stiffly toward the doors and out into the yard.
Suny shucks into one of the offered robes, her motions jerky and rushed. Then she stumbles out of the place.
Elorin looks at the cloak. She wears it but looks decidedly uncomfortable. carrying what she can she walks out.
Wil nearly spits at the idea of hiding himself anymore then he has for this raid, the others could wear the robes but he would not. Before walking out of the warehouse he runs his hand through the weapon rack and attempts to find an exceptional looking weapon prior to retreating.
Once outside he goes over to the dead human commander and checks to see what he has on his body. Recovering his longsword while he was at it.
The whips on the rack seem to be of exceptional quality and covered in a black and red braid of unusual material.
Seltyn and Wil confer and agree that holy water or channeling positive energy to harm will destroy the aura on the altar and the cauldrons.
The bannermaiden begins to retreat to the area with food, thinking the foodstuffs will burn easily.
There are twenty potions in vials on the table.
We did our thing. Burn this mess down, then let's go home. Hoods up, elves! Wil and Azlain to the front: Make a path, boys!
Eirel and Thalas, guard the rear, and keep an eye out for anyone following us. We gotta get the ship out to sea as fast as we can.
Flambeaux, I owe you a drink.
It is obvious the whips are magical (and evil).
They can be consumed in the blaze if you like.
The forces of evil do not arrive in time to stop your departure.
I'm thinking the locals are no more fond of the cult than we are. Good work, guys! :)
Wil snaps up the whips. Intent on seeing the destroyed properly after they are identified of course. At least they would then know what they are up against...
Eirel will not take one of the robes and wear it. But will certainly take the rearguard to make sure that everyone gets out of there alive and well, and will carry his share of the loot.
Thalas likewise refuses a cloak when offered, but sighs in gratitude when the pain fades away with Wil's channeling.