Thaddeus zooms off to the east for a mid-air battle with the drow arcanist, again badly missing his grab attempt. With the assassin presumably out of the picture, the group settles on slashing up the babau before the stinking cloud effects wear off. You gang up on the barfing demons, and the combined efforts of Lusk's spirit mote and Fiona's hammer manage to kill one of them. The other is badly wounded by the group's attacks. Lash hovers in the air, holding a whip.
In the air, the arcanist finally turns when he realizes this crazed hillbilly is not going to stop attacking him. He snarls at Thaddeus and then thrusts out a hand, firing a pair of scorching rays at him! The rays slam into the witch's chest, burning him badly.
The remaining demon snarls at all of you and then double over again, unable to do anything and unwilling to flee.
Variel
Thaddeus
Keanu
Fiona
--
Arcanist (flying)
Babau (nauseated, 1) (-32)
Assassin (-75)
---
Mutt (-19)
Keanu rounds on the remaining demon.
Variel steps up and join Lusk in taking out the remaining demon, cursing under his breath about losing the drow assassin.
Bane: 2/8 uses
Judgment: 0/3 uses
Antitoxin: 27/60 minutes
Heightened Awareness: 45/80 minutes
Discovery Torch: 55/90 minutes
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Lusk and Variel move in on the remaining babau with Lusk completely running it through with his greatsword while Variel sends its head flying with a swipe of his sword.
Thaddeus is badly rocked back, scorched and ignited quite badly from the rays. He decides discretion (And shameless cowardice) is the better part of valour, and retreats.
Thaddeus realizes very quickly that he could be in trouble and decides to just get the hell away from the arcanist, racing back over to the group. The arcanist looks over and then growls in disgust before zooming off.
End of Combat
The assassin appears to be gone, and the arcanist has surely fled.
Mutt ends his rage. He takes a breather, putting the head of his greataxe on the ground. He looks at Thaddeus, a rare smirk on his face. "And I have a question. What exactly were you going to do if you caught that magic drow?"
Variel allows himself a slight smile at Mutt's teasing of Thaddeus, but looks around the area. "Unfortunately we have lost what element of surprise we may have had, and our resources are already somewhat depleted. We should get off the street and investigate where we might rest and recover."
Keanu nods while making sure no acidic abysm gore lingered on his new blade.
Fiona stops singing, catches her breath, and looks around for a safe-looking place to rest.
Fiona starts to look around and then promptly trips on her feet but is up quickly enough before anyone else notices.
You are in... well, a city complete with buildings. Despite the spectacular battle with the babau and the drow you have not attracted the attention of the shadow locals.
Fiona starts to look around and then promptly trips on her feet but is up quickly enough before anyone else notices.
You are in... well, a city complete with buildings. Despite the spectacular battle with the babau and the drow you have not attracted the attention of the shadow locals.
"Hmm, I wonder if there are any temples nearby?" Keanu asks no one in particular.
"And I have a question. What exactly were you going to do if you caught that magic drow?"
Either missing or ignoring the cynicism in the question, Thaddeus answers truthfully.
"Well, Ah was thinkin' of wrestlin' him t'the ground like Ah was pig wranglin' back at th'farm. Hard t'cast spells when yer wrestlin'. But 'den he char-broiled me, an' didn't wanna risk doin' somethin' more stupid, in case he had more spells up his sleeve."
Thaddeus lowers himself to the ground.
"Yeah, we're all pretty beat up. Where t'hide? Ah'd say a smaller buildin', harder t'suss out."
"Decent plan, just make sure you are faster than their casting fingers or that at least you can close the distance next time." Keanu offers.
"The library is not too far from here, as I recall. A temple might be good if this version is still consecrated properly, and not taken over by the foul demons these drow consort with."
"And I have a question. What exactly were you going to do if you caught that magic drow?"Either missing or ignoring the cynicism in the question, Thaddeus answers truthfully.
"Well, Ah was thinkin' of wrestlin' him t'the ground like Ah was pig wranglin' back at th'farm. Hard t'cast spells when yer wrestlin'. But 'den he char-broiled me, an' didn't wanna risk doin' somethin' more stupid, in case he had more spells up his sleeve."
Mutt chuckles a little. "Very brave of you. Takes strength and courage to just rush up to your enemy to fight them one-on-one. I'll teach you a thing or two so you can do that again."
Mutt also takes a look around.
The slightly shimmering city streets make it kind of hard to suss out where the drow and demons traffic or not, but the odd scuff mark shows that they seem to stick largely to the major routes.
Whilst being very, very vigilant, you take a little while to search out the best place to rest. In the distance as you look, you spot a somewhat familiar sight - north of Verithes Park is the Temple of the Watchers, where 10,000 years from now you cleaned off a statue of Findeladlara. As well, there is a large shrine to Calistria. You head into the temple, and with Mutt checking the area carefully, it's clear the drow and particularly the demons do not like coming in here.
There are enough bunks and you are able to bed down for the evening, and taking your watch, get some rest. As you rest, you feel a comfort in this strange pocket dimension. Even here the gods have influence, and the protection of the Savored Sting and the Guiding Hand are with you.
Variel awakens the next morning refreshed, and surprised but thankful for the uninterrupted rest. He takes time to meditate and pray at Calistria's shrine, swearing vengeance on the drow for everything they have done.
As everyone gets ready, he tries to recall what he can of the map of the city. "Let us make our way toward the Observatory, where Grunyn said we would most likely find Nolveniss. The sooner we complete our mission, the better."
Bane: 8/8 uses
Judgment: 3/3 uses
Heightened Awareness: 80/80 minutes
Discovery Torch: 90/90 minutes
Mutt gets his rest and begins to cast spells on himself. He weaves a shield of force around him and his skin becomes a dull grayish in tone. When Variel talks about heading to the Observatory, Mutt nods. "Then let's get going." He also takes a look around outside for danger, greataxe in hand.
This enhancement bonus increases by 1 for every 4 caster levels above 4th, to a maximum of +7 at 15th level.
While you’re under the effects of this spell, if an opponent confirms a critical hit or sneak attack against you with a physical weapon (not a spell or magical effect), you can dismiss this spell to negate the critical hit or sneak attack and treat it is as a normal hit. Dismissing the spell in this way is not an action, but you must be conscious and aware of the attack to do so.
Keeping a careful eye out, you manage to avoid a babau patrol and what looks like a group of fiery shadows in the distance as you strike southeast through the city for your final destination.
Standing in the centre of a small, well-kept park is a tall and imposing building made of black and white marble and decorated with beautiful celestial patterns. A tower rises from its central portion to form a large domed structure from which tree ornate telescopes protrude from balconies.
Two shadowy elven echoes stand to each side of the front door, looking passively out into the distance.
Thaddeus keeps his voice down as he whispers to the group.
"Meybe we check outside, look fer anudder way in? Even if 'Dey haven't coopted 'dese ghosts as guards, prob'ly watchin' the front way."
Keanu silently nods at Thaddeus' suggestion.
"Possibly. Lash, give a quick circle."
Variel casts a spell then sends his familiar to scout around.
Mutt frowns, but waits with his friends.
Lash circles around the observatory, not finding any windows or easy means to peer at, although parts of the tower appear to be open air.
However, as Lash circles around the back to spot a huge window. Peer in the window, Lash sees the following.
This vast chamber has forty-foot-high ceilings. The far side of the room contains a ten-foot-high balcony before a set of immense glass windows that look out upon a gloomy dark forest. Opposite this, three one-foot-tall risers ascend to a pair of dull silvery doors
on which images of planets and stars are carved.
Roosting up on top of the balcony is a terrible beast. Green scales cover its powerful limbs and wings, and an oversized horn sits at the end of its snout. The dragon seems to be looking to the southeast curiously, a vapor of sickly green wafting from its faring nostrils. Lash goes unnoticed.
It's been a strange week. After the drow successfully test-fired their weapon to bring down a meteor near Riddleport, you have pursued them to the ancient elven city of Celwynvian. There, the resident elves are in open war with drow who have controlled the city for centuries.
You have become agents of the army, working with them to clear out varying buildings within the town in an attempt to let the army break through. Upon your final assault on the Academy of Arts, you were horrified to discover the elven leaders had fallen very quickly to the drow, and were taken into the Armageddon Echo, a pocket dimension wherein the drow have recreated a shadow version of Celwynvian at the time of Earthfall.
You are now in the Echo, and after a difficult battle and strange night's rest, found yourself at the Observatory which contains not only Shalelu and Kaerishiel, the elven leaders you are here to rescue, but apparently Nolveniss, the drow archmage who created the echo and invented the great drow weapon.
Variel's familiar Lash is scouting around the exterior of the academy, and has returns with the news. There is a green dragon in the academy.
"...oh. Wonderful."
Despite her seemingly-uncaring attitude, a little tremble comes into Fiona's limbs at the mention of a dragon.
Mutt's head perks up when he hears the report from Lash. "A dragon? There's a dragon in there?" He then slowly breaks out into a shark like grin.
”Never fought a dragon before.” Keanu states nonchalantly.
Thaddeus looks over at Mutt's grin, with a mix of weariness and worry.
"Green Dragon? Fought one o'dem on th'way here. Ah mean, t'the city. Hmm, dang, only got one ol' Protection spell t'ward 'gainst 'dat acid breath. Still, Ah see th'wisdom o'takin' out 'dere biggest defender right now."
"Least I HOPE 'dat's 'dere biggest guard."
As the group gets ready to enter the observatory, Variel casts two spells.
When everyone is ready, he raises his shield and prepares to open the door.
Bane: 8/8 uses
Judgment: 3/3 uses
Discovery Torch: 80/90 minutes
Heightened Awareness: 70/80 minutes
Expeditious Retreat: 8/8 minutes
Invisibility Purge: 8/8 minutes
Mutt quickly casts some spells on himself, a near invisible shield forming around him, his skin turning to a dull gray, and growing into Mega Mutt. He grins and grips his greataxe tightly, ready to go in.
This enhancement bonus increases by 1 for every 4 caster levels above 4th, to a maximum of +7 at 15th level.
While you’re under the effects of this spell, if an opponent confirms a critical hit or sneak attack against you with a physical weapon (not a spell or magical effect), you can dismiss this spell to negate the critical hit or sneak attack and treat it is as a normal hit. Dismissing the spell in this way is not an action, but you must be conscious and aware of the attack to do so.
A humanoid creature whose size increases to Large has a space of 10 feet and a natural reach of 10 feet. This spell does not change the target’s speed.
If insufficient room is available for the desired growth, the creature attains the maximum possible size and may make a Strength check (using its increased Strength) to burst any enclosures in the process. If it fails, it is constrained without harm by the materials enclosing it–the spell cannot be used to crush a creature by increasing its size.
All equipment worn or carried by a creature is similarly enlarged by the spell. Melee weapons affected by this spell deal more damage (see Table: Medium/Large Weapon Damage). Other magical properties are not affected by this spell. Any enlarged item that leaves an enlarged creature’s possession (including a projectile or thrown weapon) instantly returns to its normal size. This means that thrown and projectile weapons deal their normal damage. Magical properties of enlarged items are not increased by this spell.
As Mutt casts some spells and gets ready to move in, a pair of shadowy elves standing guard seem to clue in that the party is approach, and move to block Mutt from entry.
"No entry to the observatory at this time, human."
"Why is that?" Keanu asks as they approach, not bothering to stop.
Variel steps up with a nonthreatening but serious demeanor, as of a priest who is used to being obeyed. "They're with me, and I'm from the Temple of Calistria. We have pressing business."
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The two guards look at each other and at the Calistrian inquisitor looking very serious about everything. "I'm not coming at odds with the temple." says one to the other. They step aside.
You prepare yourselves, and open the door. As you do, the echo elves go back to not noticing your existence. Within the room are five drow, who all stand as the door opens. Although at first obviously bored, they are delighted at the intrusion and attack!
Variel
Mutt
---
Captain
---
Fiona
Thaddeus
Keanu
---
Soldiers
Seeing the drow in the room, Variel strides up. Anger flashes in his eyes as he intones, "เจ้าแม่ก่นคุณและสิ่งที่คุณยืน เผาไหม้ในนรกสำหรับการกระทำที่คุณได้กระทำ!"
Bane: 8/8 uses
Judgment: 2/3 uses
Discovery Torch: 80/90 minutes
Heightened Awareness: 70/80 minutes
Expeditious Retreat: 8/8 minutes
Invisibility Purge: 8/8 minutes
Mutt frowns at the shadowy elves. Mutt's about to tell them off when Variel intervenes. When the doors are opened and the drow begin to attack, Mutt scowls. "I don't have time for this. You're all p*****g me off!" He then starts his rage and stomps into the room, moving so that he's not in Variel's way. He brings his his greataxe down on one of them.
Variel and Mutt burst in with Variel calling down the words of his angry, vengeful goddess while Mutt just brings down his axe with a fury. The drow blanch as they are shaken to their core, and the fire scores all but one whose magic resistance ignores the spell.
The drow captain steps back, and begins praying loudly to her goddess. As she raises her symbol, the area around you transforms into a horrifying hellscape! The screams of the damned fill your ears and shake you to the core.
Variel
Mutt (shaken)
---
Captain (-6 on fire)
---
Fiona
Thaddeus
Keanu (shaken)
---
Red Soldiers (-6)
Yellow Soldier (-6)
Blue Soldier (-37 on fire)
Black Soldier (-6)