Palace of the Vampire Queen (Inactive)

Game Master Terquem

On entering the apparently completely epmpty chamber, Mae looks alarmed.

"The demon is invisible!!! she shrieks, crouching into a martial stance and swinging wildly.

Aieee!!!!!: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 12 [+5 BAB, +1 Str, +1 mwk, +1 bless]
SkrangTingDongBang!!!: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 [+1 Str]

Miss Completely Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 88

"Mae. Mae, stop! There's no demon here!" Miagnik shouted. "The last room was elaborately set up, this one is just a connection like some of the others."

I don't think I'll be able to get any information then. Familiars don't have a telepathic bond with their masters I'm not sure how Whiskey would be able to deliver the information. They can only deliver feeling without being in speaking range sadly. the reason I can talk with whiskey is the "Speak with Master" familiar ability which has all the limitations of speech.

Stephaine glanced at their newest demonic companion and then back over to Mae "Well..." the gnome starts as she looks over at Miagnik before deciding on a better route.
"Miagnik is correct Mae. However I imagine that were I an invisible demon I'd have run from that display." The gnome asserts giving her half sister an amused smile.

Also Windel is now a Giant dwarf. this amuses me.

"Best be certain Mae's not correct...toss some flour around in the air."

Hal nodded, already beginning to do what Rownig was suggesting.

Soon the whole room was clouded and the floor sifted with powder.

The Palace of the Vampire Queen, level 2, a strange set of locked rooms

Day 13, Approximate time of day, 3:00 pm (turn, 91)

The dust settles quickly in the still dungeon air and reveals nothing in the room other than the rest of the party.

"Aiii...tchooooo!" sneezes Mae, a monumental paroxysm shaking the doughty princess.

"Miagnik! Next door!"

Mae suddenly remembers her manners.

"Now!!!"

Windel's hands clench his weapon, "Let's move.".

Rownig gets in a pouncing position as Miagnik checks out the next door. "Ready." Clearly on edge.

Seeing the rest of the group ready to continue, Miagnik opens the next door.

Once everyone has moved into the second empty room, and the door behind is shut, Miagnik shoves open the next door.

The first thing that is encountered is a foul odor. It is not of brimstone or the filth of decay or wretchedness, but more the odor of a man who has been subjected to a poor diet and not given sanitary conditions.

The room is dark. The air feels heavy. Against the west wall is a wide, wooden bench set low to the ground. It cannot be a bed, but more an insult to what a bed should be.

On the bench sits a half naked human male, with a thick black leather cloak draped over his shoulders. He is overweight, and he has a few sores on his arms. His legs are hidden under a pair of trousers with flared legs, held in place by a belt made out of rope. The man has his head down, and his arms are crossed over his knees.

The man has dark, greasy hair that hangs down on the sides of his head concealing his face from view.

As soon as the door is opened and you get a look at this man, he speaks without lifting his eyes toward you.

More than a morsel this time, necromancer. I am hungry and my temper is foul.

Unless someone puts a staying hand on Mae, she's going to mention somewhat derisively (and loudly) that something is definitely foul around here, and completely ruin any chance of surprise...

I'm actually looking forward to Mae and Miagnik's reactions.

I know the smart thing to do should just be to open up with a round of attacks and magic here, but I just can't let this opportunity pass by. Miagnik is going to give up the initiative on Porungul and engage with him in conversation first. I doubt we'll get a chance to learn much about him and Miagnik doesn't really intend to negotiate with him but he wants to talk to him. What effect this has on everyone else is of course up to them.

Miagnik's body slowly changed from tense and battle ready to a more relaxed state as he stared at the "Demon" who was presumably Porungul. His jaw opened and closed several times, he had been prepared to say something dramatic to help ready himself for battle, while he wrapped his head around what was in front of them. He had heard of humans, of course, he had not ever really seen one or at least what passed for one until now. He had been expecting a hulking monster, something large and menacing but instead Porungul just seemed... pitiful. But then he remembered how innocuous and harmless Luelleschia had seemed.

"Somehow... I was expecting you to be scarier looking than this." Was all he could say.

After Miagnik speaks, Mae merely nods in mute horror. Then she whispers to her companions.

"Definitely...demonic. I mean, he definitely needs to lose that rope belt. How is he going to scare anyone looking like that. Appall them perhaps...."

Stephanie blinks slowly looking from her companions to the man behind the door.
"Are.. are we really having this conversation now? I mean I admit I was expecting some unimaginable terror made of tentacles and angry wasps but still." the noble gnome states as she looks at the corpulent man ahead of them.

Gotta love being a Goblin.

He turned his head to Stephanie and Maelodakh. "Yes. I'm pretty sure we are having this conversation. I mean," he looked back at Lelleschia and then Porungul. "why do they look like people? Is that part of your binding? Or is this how Demons actually look?"

Hal scrunched up his face in exasperation.

I kinda want to see Mae talk to the demon too. :)

The goblins speak then Rownig swallows his cigar stub and begins to cough. "c...c...co...c...cou...cou..ha...hac...hack". His eyes watering. He blinks repeatedly.

Mae walks slightly backwards toward the demon, still chatting with Steph and Miagnik.

"Scary? I'm very unimpressed. He looks like something the cat dragged in after a good night on the town, a town in which the choices were extremely limited."

Windel's knuckles begin to turn white has he grips his holy symbol in one hand and Kreescandiq in the other. Goblins as the great negotiators, what is world comin' to? May Praggul bless us all.

When Miagnik, Stephanie, and Maelodakh begin talking about the wretched appearance of the man on the bench, he seems to not take notice.

When Maelodakh says that she is very unimpressed the man slowly lifts his head.

He has an expression of mixed disbelief and disgust

Who are you people? Why should I care if you are impressed. You don’t like the way I look? He looks left and right, probably trying to determine who was the speaker of the various comments

Now, something is amiss. Dwarves, yes, I understand that, but dwarves and goblins. This will never do. She won’t have it!

The man slowly rises and the cloak on his back opens to show it is actually a large pair of wings.

I will be fed, I. Will. Be. Fed. And you will all die!

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

The man lunges at the closest individual, but you can see that one of his legs is chained to the wall at the ankle with a short length of chain

Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Miagnik's eyes narrowed as th Demon spoke about Dwarves and Goblins not being allowed together. He glanced over at Stephanie then back as Porungal unfurled his wings. "Now that's more like it! Too bad for you, we don't really care about what 'SHE' wants."

initiative: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (12) + 0 = 12

"Yer a bit slow...my feathered horror."

initiative: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

"No need ta throw oil on the flame." The rogue glances quickly a the cleric. "Unless that's it's weakness."

Init: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Does Windel know weakeners/strengths to fight this thing.

religion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
planes: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Init: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

So step back and avoid getting eaten by an angry demon? Or do we proceed directly to smashing?

Smash!

When the pathetic looking demon lunges, Hallister is the first to respond

Round 1, begins now

Hal gauged the length of chain and moved to where he guessed would be a few feet beyond the creature's reach, quick stepping to keep with it as it lunged.

I'm not sure where the demon is on the map, or how long the chain is. I'll let you take care of placement GM.

Activate Snake Style, swift action

Knowledge Religion to recognize the kind of demon: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

"I'll feed ya." he said, tossing a vial of holy water right into the monster's face.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Holy Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6

"Careful there! He's a incubus, though he's not lookin' as stately in as I thought one would be." He pauses for a second, "Likes to cause pain, torture is a specialty, but looks like the boot's one the other foot here." Motioning to the chain. "Holy water is good, don't waste 'lectricty on it he doesn't feel it. Fire won't do much damage." He glances at Miagnik with that comment.

O'course it's an incubus...what ever that is...doesn't sound friendly. As the locksmith mulls over Windel's announcement.

"Thank you Windel."
Stephaine replies stopping an incantation before shifting to a lesser one. The gnome holding a word as she waits for the demon to act.

Stephaine is holding action until the demon reaches the extend of its chain or reaches one of her allies. She'll cast grease on him then. DC 15 reflex or fall prone.

Rownig considers the situation and decides it's a good time for another cigar. His deft hands produces a fresh one along with steal, flint and tinder. "Mind if I smoke?" Without waiting for an answer he strikes the flame.

Just trying to refresh the thread.

Hallister flings an open vial of Holy Water at the man just as he comes to the end of the chain on his ankle. The blessed water strikes the man and acrid smoke billows off of his flesh as he howls in pain.

Windel mentions that he believe the man is an Incubus, and Hallister racks his memory for details about such a creature

The man seems to understand the limitation of the chain on his leg and does not rush at Hallister so quickly that he would injure himself. Hallister is only a foot or two out of the man’s reach, but he continues to hold his hands up in a fighting stand threatening the dwarves at the door.

I swear if this chain were not here I’d have your throat in my hands. If you think you can get passed me, think again. Move toward that door and I will rip your limbs off.

Mae moves toward the demon, casually swinging her morningstar. But she does not charge, nor move within his reach.

"So....are we to murder him? Can we at least let him off the chain...make it less....murdery?"

I'm a bit confused - are we trying to kill him?

"Not a chance." Hal said with stone in his voice.

Im waiting to see if it is possible for Windle and I to exorcise it.

Stephanie frowns as she looks at the demon in front of her. "Well I don't know the particulars of him. I don't see a binding circle in this room. Hrmm.. what do I know about Incubi.
Knowledge:Planes?: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13 Not much apparently. Guess demon summoning wasn't covered much in Stephanie's education.
" Well if he is anything like Luell- the other, he is a corporeal manifestation rather than a like based magic image. Err.. He really exists here rather than being a creature piloting a body of magic like a summoned monster. So we are likely going to need to fight him to get past.
Stephaine then moves to Hallister and whispers in his ear
" I have a spell that could create a twenty foot deep pit behind him. It would likely take him longer to escape it than it would for us to close the doors, cross the room and exit."

Hal nods. "Do it."

Good idea Steph!

Stephanie nods and resumes whispering " I'll go tell Windel and the others so they can help, can you distract him so its easier to push him in? I will stand by Mae and tell her to push when it is time so she doesn't give it away." The gnome then moves over to the rest of her party and fills them in.

Avoiding the Aoo on this bullrush will likely be somewhat important. that penalty...Duh.
Right hallister can just go first and deflect the AOO with snake style or Parry. Then Mae, Windel, ronwig and Miagnik can sweep in if hallister doesn't do well enough to push the guy in.

Once everything is prepared Stephanine nods to hallister to signal to start.
Stephaine will summon the pit about 10ft back. The hope being that we can push him that far as that means there is enough slack for im to fall most of the way into the pit rather than just stopping after a 5-7 foot drop.

"What happens if you can't protect that door? What happens to you then?" Hal asked the angry demon.

I don’t care one bit about that door, or what’s behind it. See it’s all a stupid mistake,The Demon says with a snarl as he nurses the wounds from the acid When the woman was trying to bind me to her service I got confused and, and she was saying things in a way that didn’t make sense so I was trying to get out of the deal, and instead wound up demanding payment in the form of flesh before I will let anyone through that door. So here’s the thing, tough guys, you feed me, you get through the door unmolested, you try to get by without feeding me, I tear you apart. It’s not like I like doing that, well I do, but I don’t like being forced to do it. It’s in the binding.

Windel hops up and down to get a good look at what's happening near the front.

RD 1: Rownig

He steps up five feet standing between Miagnik and Hal, whirling his two axes in his hands. He exhales loudly sending smoke rings in the air, then explains. "I don't rightly want a fight, but with all the crap and chest puffery that's going on, it looks like we'll have to fight. I'll kill you, or send you back to the abyss...but we can alter that fate. Simply let me walk by, open the door and pass through. If you want, I'll break your locks and as long as you don't attack us you can be on your merry way." He offers his half chewed cigar to the demon....a sign of truce.

When Rownig Approaches to within striking distance, the Demon Lunges at him with both hands

Keep coming closer to me, stuntie. Let’s see who kills who

Rowng (should be in S:3), he smirks at the lunge. "Guess we be fight'n. Got plenty of the burning holy water that will make your evil flesh pucker."

apologies for the delay. I also seem to have completely misjudged hos large these rooms are. I thought they were at least double the dimensions show in the map.

Stephaine shrugs as she looks at the demon in question. " I mean, have you considered that flesh is really only an idea to the intent of your desire? I suppose I'd have to have heard the entire agreement to tell you where you might weasel more than a paltry thing like meat out of the agreement. Fairies are famous for requesting things like "a moment of your time" but never specifying where or when that moment would be or how long a moment is specified to be. Perhaps you could find a similar trick of wording to force more out of your master."

If he continues to be aggressive/ unhelpful

Stephanie nods " I can understand not wanting help from creatures you'd commonly view as prey. We seem to ahve reached an impasse. Good bye." With that she snaps a few quick motions and presents a crudely crafted collection of gold coins forced into an appearance of a tiny shovel.
The ground beneath the demons feet dropping from under him as a twenty foot deep pit replaced the ground in a stuttering split second of conflicting reality.
" We need to be quick. also be careful to not fall in yourself."

The pit takes up U/V 2/3 squares. The green circle being what Ipresume is the demons limits with the chains he is attached to would mean he acually can't move to the edge of the pit to escape it so I think he might be denied a chance to do so. Regardless that also means anyone who wants to exit the room needs to make a 5ft jump to reach the door.