The Slayer sees the ifrit's intentions, moving out of the way and slashing at the mist with his flaming sword once he gets there!
The blade seems to damage the mist, but it continues to move!
The insects take the full brunt of Achmed's flames!
Valgrim moves toward the steps while Endar prepares his sling for magic-ization!
wasp swarm 25
Kinn readies himself, but nothing triggers his action!
The mist drifts along slowly, moving past Valgrim toward one of the numerous openings in the bell tower! Meanwhile, the wasp swarm does not like the fire and swarms to its source, catching Mordenaar in its path!
Kinn falls over at the end of his heroic leap, but still manages to slash at the mist from his backside!
The mist turns red as the Paladin's blade slashes through it!
Valgrim moves past Kinn and then takes a single shot at the gas with his bow...
...
And the wasps crisp up into oblivion, just as Mordenar's blade slices through the mist and it dissipates entirely, reconstituting into the corpse of the alchemist!
"That b**** killed Compy. She deserved her fate." Endar's normally jolly mood has obviously been soured by the death of his companion, his face a mask of fury. "Let's leave this accursed place as soon as we can," he grumbles.
"I am sorry about the loss of your good companion. Tis a shame." Valgrim says as he looks over the area and the loot. "Do we press on or retreat?"
Kinn administers to the party while Endar retrieves the corpse of Compy with a lump in his throat. The message to Azmur is heeded quickly by the druid. He listens as the tales of the party's exploits is told, all the while preparing the body of Compy. So you've handled Goladryth and Pentosh, he says, referring to the oversized grioth and the alchemist in the tower. So Thaena remains. You can find her in the rooms beneath the belfry. She's quite in Aeterperax's thrall, you understand.
Azmur looks at the dinosaur, who appears to be only slumbering instead of lifeless. I'll need a suitable diamond. About a thousand gold piece value should do. Someone in Belhaim may have one, if you haven't. But they won't give it away for nothing.
"I will go try to find one. I may need to give up my magic breastplate to get it, but it would be worth it."
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"We are truly grateful for your skill, Azmur, and your bravery in administering it," Kinn adds. He produces his coin pouch and opens the drawstring, peering inside. He sighs, closes it, and hands the whole thing to Endar.
"I do not have much to offer, I am afraid. Perhaps the Lady will consider parting with a diamond of her own so that we may see this dragon's farce through to the end."
"Well, perhaps Kinn can come with me, and attempt to bargain some poor sap down to the 769 gold we currently have. I can always sweeten the pot with a few of these magic oils, I suppose."
Okay so we'll be looking for a gem dealer who looks like he can be talked down on price a bit. I'm willing to part with all four of the oils of magic weapon I'm carrying, if needed. That would get us to 869 gold, if you assume half-value for the oils.
@Kinn, wanna try a Diplom check? I can aid you.
Valgrim offers 100 gp for the deed.
"Thank you all, my friends. Compy thanks you as well. He will not be at full strength for a short time until I procure some more funds, but at least he's back."
Returning to the druid, Azmur casts the raise companion spell with the gem the party acquired, and Compy's eyes flutter open.
It takes a moment, but as he regains himself the dino affectionately nuzzles Endar, and appears himself despite his weakness.
Azmur rummages around a bit in his makeshift den and comes out with a pair of potion bottles. It's not much, he says, but maybe they can help. One is a potion of barkskin and one a potion of magic fang.
Endar nods gravely at the druid. "Thank you, my friend. You've been most kind."
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Kinn gives Azmur a brief update while the pikeman's companion is brought back from the veil. "We have located the Dark Window, but have not engaged with it yet. There is still much here we have not seen. We will continue to cleanse the complex of the dragon's influence."
At the door behind Mordenaar, Kinn readies Wyrmsmite.
Endar readies his pike, Compy staying in mini-form on his shoulder until he can be restored to full strength.
Valgrim helps the others out as they seek to rest, then prays to recharge his energies.
The party assembled behind him, Mordenaar opens the door.
A wooden veranda runs around the edges of this atrium. A large planter, overgrown with various shrubberies and plants, grows in the center of the area under the open sky.
Curled up at the far side of the planter, quite asleep, is a snake-bodied woman with a fair face and sparkling black scales.
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Mordenaar immediately raises his hand up to halt the others. The slayer assumes this is a lieutenant based on her looks
Mordenaar looks about the room and approaches her quietly:
If he gets close to her, he'll look back at the party for confirmation. The intent in his eyes is clear....
The slayer eyes his target and drives his blade into the snake lady's throat. and FORT DC 47 or die.