"Sadhana is right, Arista. Your rage will get you through the difficulty ahead." Yet his words sounded hollow to Harakhty as he had little rage himself in the matter. His sights were longer, farther away from this battle. As long as the tower of order falls.
He took out his crossbow, inspecting it and reloading. Having slightly over half his original stock of bolts, he began to think of acquiring some more in the future. But a few dozen should do for this thing.
A sigh left his mouth, doubts along with it. "My fingers are ready."
As she walks towards the stairs she lifts an arm in the air and waves her hand in acknowledgement of Harakhty's statement.
"I know that Harakhty....make sure that you and Drago stay a ways back. This is gonna be a hard fight, and I refuse to lose anyone else that matters to me." She looks over her shoulder at the Vanara and others, with a crooked smile on her face she says, "Got it?" Then continues to walk down the stairs.
The inquisitor nodded back. Dying again was not high on his list of things to do.
"Same with you Sienna, we combine range ant up close and don't let up till he's a smoking pile of ash." the Anizari says decending the stairs as well.
The streets of the city are quiet as Johann leads you through. The columns that seemed impressive when viewed from above are even more so now, towering higher than you can see. A colossal fountain occupies what might be the city's square, but no water flows from it now. Carvings of giant humanoids engaged in a battle with vague tentacled shapes adorn the base, while an impressive figure carrying a giant scepter with a rose colored orb dominates the middle of the fountain. Other figures lie at his feet in what appear to be poses of worship.
Around you, you see beady eyes looking at you from windows and blasted gaps in the buildings. You sense a bit of awe in their expressions as you walk towards the colosseum. A cacophony of cheers, jeers and savage roars emanates from the large arena. The smell of death lingers in the air.
As you walk through one of the entryways, Johann stops. "This is as far as I go for now. May the gods be with you."
He escorts his family to an alcove and watches you as you go forward into the arena proper. Looking around, you see the entirety of the audience area has been filled to capacity, goblins pushing and shoving each other to look at you. At the far end of the area, sits an enormous stone throne, surrounded by countless bones. A figure reclines on the throne, gnawing at a femur absently, until it looks up at you. Green flames play at his lips as he smiles and rises from the throne. While the barghest is larger than you, even he is dwarfed by the immense throne.
"Greetings and welcome, Heroes, to the Blood Grave," the barghest says, a snarl accenting his announcement. "I have been waiting for you, since I was visited by that charming young vampire. Aliethia says hello, Drago, and that she'll be seeing you soon, but I doubt that. You shall die here and join the bones that line my throne. You have chosen to foolishly challenge me, though your weapons cannot pierce my hide, though my teeth can sever your head from your body."
It grins, hops off the throne and steps towards you. "What pitiful creatures you are. You cannot hope to stand against me and Vencious will be forever beyond your reach. The Damned Tower shall always stand to spite you and your foolish ambitions. I'll let you run away, if you want. Otherwise, come and perish."
He snarls one more time. "قد يكون لديك حالة وفاة مؤلمة."
Initiative:
Roll-off:
"Which of you shall be first? How about you, holy warrior?"
The barghest charges and bites at Arista with its unnaturally sharp teeth.
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Round 1: Bloeddraer, Harakhty, Cyna, Arista, Ylrhea, Sienna, Drago, Sādhanā
Arista braces for the impact, but the ferocity of his attack catches her off guard as he bites into her.
Arista screams in a rage as she bursts into flames.
She turns her head to look at the others behind them, "Get...Back!!"
Harakhty lowered his crossbow. "Us? No. The fool here is you. Arrogant enough to challenge whomever enters. Complacent enough to grow fat off of slaves." He glanced around. "But kind enough to die in the Blood Grave so we will not have to drag your corpse elsewhere. We have put down giants and trolls, and you are simply the next pest on the list."
The vanara's eyes glow in the ivory of the tusked beasts of his homeland. "While you might have welcomed us, you have overstayed your own. These people do not like you, and they have no faith in you. They only fear you, a meager coward who lords over the weak. But in their numbers they are strong, and they can have faith in us now, for we have no fear.
His aim takes shape as he finishes his rebuke. "And there is no reason to fear a false god. The one I serve is real. That is why I'm here from beyond the grave; to send you to yours.
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Cyan taunts the so called "god." She takes a step back out of the creatures reach and channels her divine gift causing some of her features to become like a birds.
Arista touches a hand to her weapon as it glows with the holy light of Sarenrae, "I think....you may have underestimated our resolve.
Arista brings down her scimitar in a furious swing at the beast in front of her.
Her swing goes wide as the pain from his bite radiates through her body.
The barghest's fire burns Arista's skin and chars her hair. Sādhanā realizes a few things about Bloeddraer, he can increase the powers of the goblins around him, has several evasive powers, his bite can sever the heads of those who are not touched by divinity and this thick skin can only be pierced by magic weapons of legendary quality.
"I do not subjugate them, vanara. They follow me willingly," the barghest says, shaking off Harakhty's bolt. "I bring them order. I give them respect."
Round 1: Bloeddraer, Harakhty, Cyna, Arista, Ylrhea, Sienna, Drago, Sādhanā
Ylrhea steps forward, preparing to move around the barghest and get behind him.
"Arista! Step to your right!" the gnome yells, getting into a defensive stance.
Sienna moves back toward the entryway. "Okay, Hot Shot, let's see if you like some of this!"
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"That tickled," Bloeddraer laughs as the spell leaves a small char mark on his fur.
Round 1: Bloeddraer, Harakhty, Cyna, Arista, Ylrhea, Sienna, Drago, Sādhanā
Dismayed by his bolt's error, Harakhty attempts to adapt to the situation; his eyes shift to a shade of blue and he invokes the protective side of Nethys.
What will help us against this creature? Luck, I suppose.
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Sādhanā's eyes widen as she studies the barghest mere moments before his vicious bite sets Arista ablaze. Growling with anger she chants the now familiar intonation as images appear around her. She utters a single word "Титан" calling forth the magic of her cloak as all of 3 her begin to enlarge, her blades morphing to thier deadlier form.
With blinding speed the now massive swords lash out at the fiendish monster.
"Unharmed by normal weapons? Let me introduce you to Oblivion!"
Drago's blood runs cold as he hears Aliethia's name escape the barghest's lips. But, soon, that anger is replaced with adrenaline as the barghest charges Arista. As she catches fire, Drago instinctively moves behind her. "Brace yourself, Arista."
Drago shouts at the top of his lungs.
A line of severe wind pushes at the aasimar's back, extinguishing the barghest's flames.
The barghest's eyes narrow as Sādhanā's blade cuts into him. "How long can you keep that up, I wonder? And I suppose you're trying to get me to spare your friends. Very well, I'll indulge you."
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Harakhty cannot determine anything about their foe, but quickly moves to protect himself.
Round 2: Bloeddraer, Harakhty, Cyna, Arista, Ylrhea, Sienna, Drago, Sādhanā
/
Cyna launches three wide attacks trying to avoid all of her friends. With a frustrated cry she moves with a sudden burst of speed and lets a fourth arrow fly from her bow. This one tipped with a strange blue light.
As she hears Drago's warning she crosses her arms over her chest and braces herself. As the wind hits her, she feels the force of it...but it kills the flames and she stands there while smoke pours off of her body. She heaves in a breath and stares at the barghest in defiance as she takes a step to her right.
"You may burn us all you like, it'll only increase the fire in our Hearts!" Looking up she cries out, "Sarenrae, look upon your servants and grant us the ability to rid the land of this evil and vile being."
Ylhrea feels a surge of power as Arista's ability goes off, Arista looks at her and says, "Now Ylhrea...!"
As Arista yells at Ylhrea she takes yet another swing at wanna be god.
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Ylrhea taps into her mythic ability.
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Sienna uses Burning Arc again.
; ;
Feeling the burning anger in her heart, Sienna lashes out with a massive burst of flame. "Does that still tickle, you bastard?!"
The barghest wails in agony as he is barraged by spell, arrow and blade. "You...you are not normal!"
Drago moves again and summons another gust of wind to extinguish Sādhanā before she can take any damage.
Round 2: Bloeddraer, Harakhty, Cyna, Arista, Ylrhea, Sienna, Drago, Sādhanā
With a wicked grin the still smoking Anizari locks eyes with the doomed barghest. "No...and you're no god."
Her chant is loud, exhultant, ringing out through the coloseum as she summons lightning to her blade, plunging it deep with a vengeful scream as the power surges into her enemy's body.
The barghest bites at Sadhana in response to her spellcasting.
It roars as it misses and casts a spell of its own.
The barghest fades in and out of view as its spell takes effect.
Round 3: Bloeddraer, Harakhty, Cyna, Arista, Ylrhea, Sienna, Drago, Sadhana
Drago was unsure if his magic could effect such a creature, but he decided to try anyway. With a quick motion, he stretched forth his hand and spoke, "Arcaniss Nil'gnos." Three brilliant bolts of white energy flew unerringly and struck the creature.
Cyna fires several more arrows into the flickering monster hoping that one of them finds his heart.
The barghest takes two arrows to the chest and falls to the dusty arena ground.
Adrenaline still pumping through her from the fight...Arista breaths in and out in deep ragged breaths.
Cyna keeps her bow pointed at the beast until she's sure he's done in. The ranger turns to the scorched Arista with concern. "Are you alright? That fire didn't seem too pleasant."
With the fall of the monster, Drago watched the crowd of goblins, making sure none were getting ready to charge them.
Holding her hand out for a minute that means just a minute, she finally catches her breath. Standing up again she looks around at her friends to make sure they are alright before scowling as she kicks the would be god in the side for good measure.
"That stupid BASTARD.....he burnt my freakin hair, not to mention my clothes....I'm gonna reek for days now!" Her skin in some places seems a little burnt too....but she seems more upset over the smaller issues of her hair and clothes for some reason.
A hushed silence falls over the goblins as Bloeddraer is defeated. They peer at the group, low murmurs making their way through the crowd. Soon, the murmurs become chatter and the chatter becomes a roar, hate-filled and fearful. The goblins begin to rise, but, as they do, the last of Bloeddraer's life slips away from him.
A lightning bolt pierces through the cave ceiling, revealing the light of day and the raging storm from the outside. The goblins flee from the lightning, screaming in terror as the arena floor becomes slicked with rain. Another lightning bolt descends striking the corpse of the barghest, causing it to explode in brilliant colors.
Like pieces of paper set aflame, the last vestiges of Bloeddraer's corpse are consumed by his own flames. One final lightning bolt comes down, striking the ground and forking to hit all of you. The sensation does not burn, but you feel overwhelmed by the energy flowing through you. You collapse, as if gripped by an unshakable exhaustion.
You awaken moments later, Johann and his family shaking you. "Come on, we must go before the goblins get their courage back!"
A silver key glints in the faint sunlight, sitting in the middle of the arena floor. You feel better as you stand, your wounds miraculously healed. The smell of roses fills your nostrils.
Arista rushes over and grabs the key before looking at the others, "C'mon, you heard him....let's get outta here while the getting is good." Taking the key in her hand she looks it over for a minute, "Does anyone have any idea what this could be to?"
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Drago shook the daze from his mind. As he stood, he felt...different, the storm within him felt as if it had swelled in size, and as a result, he felt more...powerful.
Johann looks at the key. "That key leads to the rear of the colosseum."
"Sounds like a great idea to me. Let's get while the getting's good." Cyna says.
Sādhanā shakes herself, calling Oblivion to her hand as she checks on her friends and quickly breaks into a run as well looking back at the burning corpse with a smile.
"If that key goes to the back of the colosseum, then I say that's where we go. It might give us a back way out or something...." Feeling strangely euphoric Arista runs towards the back of the colosseum as well, being careful not to slip in all the mud that is now everywhere.