"Let's grab some glass and then head on over to Enchantment. We've still got plenty of resources. Careful, though; we might have to contend with an Enchantress. Let's get a magic circle against evil going."
Seeing how as none of the taller team members seem to be interested in the book, Thordak has a better idea. Walking over to Aurora, "I would like to give ya this book for all you've done for me, lass. I know it's just a book but it survived the fire so that's gotta mean somethin', right? I mean, maybe it's a good read?" He shrugs. Glancing around to make sure the others aren't too near, he leans in just a bit, "Don't worry, lass, I haven't forgotten your kindness from earlier. I promise ya I'm still good for it. I'll not be lettin' ya down I won't," he states with an emphatic nod as he leans back out.
"Let's grab some glass and then head on over to Enchantment. We've still got plenty of resources. Careful, though; we might have to contend with an Enchantress. Let's get a magic circle against evil going."
The Iron Cages of Lust.
The section of the Runeforge built by the followers of Sorshen, Runelord of Lust. The very first step into the hall gives you an intensely squeamish feeling.
The hall leads down into a massive room, a monument to Sorshen's Sin. This grand cathedral can be called nothing less than opulent. The floor is covered in polished red and white tiles. Thick pillars carved into the likenesses of the same beautiful nude woman with long flowing hair circle the room and support a ninety-foot-high domed ceiling, where a gargantuan mural depicts men and women engaged in all manner of carnal acts. Numerous plain ten-foot-by-ten-foot cubes line the outer ring of the cathedral, while at its center stands a pavilion of opaque silk sheets. Near the walls of the cathedral stand several delicate-looking cages, their sides more decorative than practical. Some of them contain what appear to be long-dead bodies, although one body in a cage in the chamber’s northern corner seems to be clinging to life.
Four figures fly about the cathedral. They resemble strikingly beautiful human women, save for the horns on their brows, their fangs, their taloned feet, and their batlike wings. Each wears little more than a few pieces of magical jewelry and flimsy garments.
What magic school is associated with Lust? Enchantment?
"Yes. Enchantment," Lym confirms. "Everyone remember the magic tattoos I gave you. Tomaru, can you bring in a Hound Archon? A magic circle against evil will probably be essential if those creatures are what I think they are."
Praxim recasts his weapon bond, making his bow a +5 Holy bow.
"Alu-demons. The get of a succubus and a mortal. Immune to electricity, resistant to all else. They are resistant to magc .... damn it. If they get violent, muscle and metal will carry the battle."
"How delicious! An elf-toy for the mistress!" one of the alu-demons leers at Praxim.
"Most joyous tattoos," the second purrs at Aurora, "may I see all of them?"
The third smiles lewdly at Thordak. "You know what they say love, about the length of a dwarf's beard!"
The fourth simply flies back and forth, tilting her head this way and that, trying to see around Lym's veil.
One of her hands subtly creeps towards the hilt of her falchion. The ruby in the setting winks ... and almost seems to pulse with quickening life.
"Bring your mistress out here. I'd be happy to show her my arrow," replies the very holy paladin of Erastil.
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"Alu-demons. The get of a succubus and a mortal. Immune to electricity, resistant to all else. They are resistant to magc .... damn it. If they get violent, muscle and metal will carry the battle."
Thordak nods eagerly, "Good. Just the way I like it. Bring 'em on," he says as he tightens his grip upon his axe.
"How delicious! An elf-toy for the mistress!" one of the alu-demons leers at Praxim.
"Most joyous tattoos," the second purrs at Aurora, "may I see all of them?"
The third smiles lewdly at Thordak. "You know what they say love, about the length of a dwarf's beard!"
The fourth simply flies back and forth, tilting her head this way and that, trying to see around Lym's veil.
Thordak harumphs. "Bah! Of course I know what they say ya worthless demon! I am a dwarf after all, stupid!" He quickly snaps his focus toward the others, "What do they say about a dwarf's beard? Is she makin' fun of me beard? If she is, I'm killin' her first."
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"It tells you how long it's been since the Dwarf last shaved," Lym replies succinctly.
At first, Tomaru is offended that the demons did not include him in there taunts, then, after a second thought, he's ok with it.
Nodding understandingly, "Okay. Fair enough. I'm killin' her first anyway." He then glances over at said alu-demon through narrowed eyes, "She talks to much."
The alu-demons shake and quiver in mock fear at Lym's demand. They huddle together in midair, pleading for mercy from the 'all powerful veiled one'. This goes on for several minutes before they burst into laughter, unable to maintain their facade.
"Master of magic! Oh my! You can master my magic any time, O Powerful One!" says one.
"I'm sorry handsome," titters the second to Praxim, "but the Mistress is very specific: all 'arrows' must be 'tested' before she can see them! Perhaps you can show me your 'arrow'?
The last two laugh at Thordak's questions. "Why, it's said that the length of a dwarf's beard is in proportion to the length of his...'tunneler'. Intensely amused by their joke, they break into a lewd giggle.
"You know, I am having a bad day. Dampening your fire after your heckling of my friends won't make it all better again, but it'll help me blow off some steam," Lym says - and she casts a spell that causes arcs of boreal cold to leap from one Alu-fiend to another!
Tomaru calls up Archie, Jughead, and Reggie to aid them in the fight.
"Protect us from their magics." He orders them.
The three of them position themselves to protect the group with their Magic Circle vs Evil ability. They use Aid on
Lym (+1 morale bonus to hit and save v fear; )
Aurora (+1 morale bonus to hit and save v fear; )
Thordak (+1 morale bonus to hit and save v fear; ).
Praxim sends an arrow at the alu demon who literally asked for it.
”Rexil, wait until they try to cast a spell before you throw,” Praxim whispers.
Rexil nods and readies a rock throw for the first demon to try to cast something.
Three of the four sisters manage to avoid most of the damage, further mitigating the effects with their natural resistance. They shriek in anger, hovering in place to cast Charm spells. The hound archon's magic circles keep the enchantments at bay, however, and the alu-demons rage in frustration. Praxim shoots one, and one sister gets a rock in the face for her efforts, demonic blood splattering on the floor.
Rexil again readies for one of them to cast a spell, hoping to disrupt the casting.
Praxim selects the most damaged demon and lets the arrows fly.
If that demon starts to fall during the barrage, he quickly adjusts to a neighbouring demon.
If there is anything left flapping after Praxim has taken his shots, Lym targets the most perky-looking alu-demon with a magic missile.
It takes all four arows, but Praxim downs one alu-sister. She falls with a shriek, hitting the floor with a sickening 'thud'.
Lym strikes another with her missile of force.
Tomaru casts Divine Favor before readying a Potion of Fly.
Thordak grits his teeth and readies to strike as soon as one gets near enough. "Just get a little closer ya blasted demon," he grumbles, holding back his anger until it's time to strike.
Still here, trying to get everything calmed down to get some time for this game. Sent a PM to Aurora/Fiendish Zen.
Aurora seems transfixed by the alu-demons, staring blankly up at them in rapt fascination. The three remaining sisters swoop down with their ransuers and attack!
Growling her displeasure, Lym ducks behind Rexil and then launches another barrage of magic missiles at the Alu-fiends.
"Everyone stay inside the Hound Archons' circles! Keep it to a battle of strength and steel as long as possible!"
Praxim targets the next most damaged demon and fires point blank.
He lays hands on his wounds.
Rexil takes a five foot step back and flings a rock at the injured demon, bloodying it’s face to match its friend.
Shrugging off the nasty cut as best he can, Thordak narrows his eyes and swings with reckless abandon at the demon.
Tomaru hands the potion over to Reggie. He then casts Spiritual Weapon. He has it attack the same flying demon woman as Thordak.
Spiritual Weapon:
Archie and Jughead reposition as Reggie imbibes the Potion of Flying. Reggie smiles in anticipation of slaying the devil women as he flies up to the one fighting Rexil.
Lym, Praxim, and Rexil manage to finish one of the alu-demons - Rexil's rock providing the final deathblow.
Thordak hits with his first attack, drawing a yelp of pleasure/pain from his adversary. Tomaru's spirit weapon does additional damage, but does not slay her.
Outnumbered heavily by the party and their archons, the alu-demons find discretion is the better part of survival and retreat. A simple step back, a quick dimension door, and they disappear! The shriek of anger from deep inside the pavilion in front of you leaves no doubt as to where they went...
Praxim lays hands on Rexil a couple of times.
Sighing as his anger recedes, "Chickens." Resting his weapon against his shoulder, "Great, now we get ta face those blasted things again. Is it me or does this place just keep gettin' better an' better?" he asks sarcastically.
"There are creatures in those cages. I thought one might still be alive. Suggest we have a look and see whether we can get some information before the freaks' boss shows up," Lym says.