Coming to some sort of decision, it turns on Whiteclaw, finding a way into her deepest fears and sending thoughts her way that knock her over with their force.
Reason's stern look of censure and unspoken comments on the proper use of a Library have a significant effect on the Monster in glasses. Turning shame-faced away, it scurries to the refuge of the table of returned books, ignoring the blows showering around it.
Finally free of the bookshelf, Vel glares about and sees the enemies are taking cover. She takes a moment to gather herself, then is ready to fight on.
With a soft sound like a book closing, the Monster in glasses falls to the floor and vanishes from sight. On the returned books table, a large, leatherbound volume appears, rather the worse for wear.
The remaining poltergeist giggles nervously.
"Just you and me now..."
It shifts and sends another blast of wind towards Gobi.
Whiteclaw rises once more and moves towards the last foe. [/ooc]Stand up and move to E4.[/ooc]
With a look of extreme prejudice in her eyes, Whiteclaw prowls towards the poltergeist.
"Uhoh ..." it mutters.
"Surrender, you ridiculous cretin!"
Seraphiel staggers to his feet and moves to get a clearer look at the poltergeist.
At Arianwyn's bellowed instruction, the creature heaves a faint sigh.
"Yeah. But you'll have to intimidate me into that, and I really doubt you can. You're welcome to try," it adds, possibly hopefully.
"You aren't worth the effort!"
The poltergeist shrugs at Arianwyn's refusal to use invective as a weapon and watches cautiously as the warlock and his dog work their way between the bookcases.
"Pity."
Normally even tempered, Gobi abruptly loses his legendary dwarven cool and marches firmly up the last poltergeist. Unleashing a mighty blow with his craghammer, he bloodies the insubstantial pest in one.
Martyr's Retribution (1d20+11=30, 4d10+8=32)
The poltergeist squeaks.
Kia moves closer to the poltergeist and looks it it sternly.
"Now look, it's no use coming over all shifty and pretending you have a sense of humour, because I've been listening and I know you haven't. I'm not in a very good mood right now, but you may be more useful to us alive than dead. Or perhaps I should say just dead, rather than deader?"
Shrugging sulkily at Kia's suggestion, the poltergeist still looks uneasy at the oncoming heroes.
"I'm supposed to defend this place. I wouldn't be doing a very good job if I just let you stroll in, would I?"
As the poltergeist is far out of range and hidden behind valuable books, Reason moves up beside Kia, where he might be effective.
"Don't look at me like that. I didn't set fire to anything. I mean ... well, yes. I did set fire to something and that's why I'm here, but I didn't just now. Forgive and forget?"
Apparently the poltergeist sees something reproachful in Reason's look.
Vel moves up into line of sight, determination on her face, and pummels the poltergeist with force missiles.
"OW!"
Clawing pathetically at Gobi, the poltergiest shifts sulkily through the bookcase.
"I'm happy to stop this you know, but I have to be scared enough. Eight against one isn't fair. You do know that?"
"You should have thought of that before you attacked us." Whiteclaw moves up and engages.
"You're just ganging up on me now. That's not very fair," whines the poltergeist.
The words prove to be almost its last. With a look of uncharacteristic menace on his face, Seraphiel strides forward and gestures slightly. Divine light wraps around the wailing undead and the thing simply evaporates under the deva's holy light.
"This better be damned well worth it, or there shall be a reckoning."
"You're just ganging up on me now. That's not very fair," whines the poltergeist.
The words prove to be almost its last. With a look of uncharacteristic menace on his face, Seraphiel strides forward and gestures slightly. Divine light wraps around the wailing undead and the thing simply evaporates under the deva's holy light.
With the re-demise of the haunts, the atmosphere in the Library seems calmer, and somehow expectant.
Arianwyn looks around with a look of veiled menace.
"So, what now?" he asks, keeping his temper in check.
"Now Reason finds the book."
Arianwyn gestures with a flourish to Reason.
The large volume that became, or is, or was the Monster in glasses flutters invitingly.
Arianwyn glares at it.
The book stops fluttering and goes pointedly still.
Reason sidles towards the book in an obviously nonchalant manner, then pounces on it.
The book lies quiescent and questioning in Reason's hands, before opening at a seemingly random page. It is a catalogue of the Library's contents.
Reason
The pages rustle and turn of their own volition, and finally settle open, oddly on a page with a woodcut illustration. Clearly ancient, it despicts Seraphiel. This is not Seraphiel as you know him however. The deva stands arrogant and assured among the dead, much larger than life. In his hand, he holds a rune which you recognise as similar to the one used to set the traps in the books. Similar, but disconcertingly vibrant and much, much more potent.
Reason
With dawning horror, you see that Kyleth's full intent goes far beyond becoming the bride of Gruumsh. She is seeking godhood. It is a grim irony that the path to that destiny should have been laid down by one of your own companions.
The catalogue quivers slightly in your hands and leads you to one of the stacks. Buried at the back, so that the chance of finding such a thing would be nigh impossible without the help of the Library, is the book you seek. Still quivering slightly, the catalogue returns to the table and shuts firmly. The volume you sought now lies under your hand. Within will be inscribed the rune designed to return Kyleth to life.
Others
The catalogue turns some pages for Reason before leading him to an obscure stack and returning to the table and shutting with an emphatic bang.
Reason holds out the book to the rest of the party, after taking a sidelong glance at Seraphiel.
Arianwyn raises an eyebrow at Reason, "Yes?"
"Good find. I think we should just keep it for now... No telling what will happen when we try to dislodge the taint and I think we are all in need of a rest."
"You don't think, by any chance that there would be another copy of Pirot's book - you know the one he's trying to destroy. Call me curious, but I'd quite like to know what he was so concerned about. I was hoping you wouldn't have given it to him when he asked, you know."
Arianwyn shakes his head ruefully.
"Kia! We have what we came for. Let's get out of this place while we can. And yes, I'm in no mood to fight Kyleth today."
There is a faint clonking sound from the doors as the lock opens.
"Kyleth can wait a few hours before we wreck her plans, again." The gnoll has an eagerness in her voice, though. It's clear that she views the proceeding battles as somewhat annoying steps to get to the one that matters.
"I wonder if she knows we're coming for her..."