...and when Azura chimes in, her voice lending credence to Sorshen's existence, Ashamintallu's facade of rage and contempt dissolves.
She lets out a gasp and recoils from Sorshen... scrambling away in a manner not unlike how Shylei did with Saersha.
"M-M-MISTRESS SORSHEN?!" The succubus cries, tears of terror running down her face. "NO! NO! NO! PLEASE, DON'T! I'VE DONE EVERYTHING YOU ASKED!"
Embyr and Zev look at the rest of the party as Ashamintallu cowers. It appears the fight is over... for now.
Ulfr lets his song fade, and right before the good part too. He steps up beside the Illusion, eyes fixed on the demon. What is your command, my Lady? There are plentiful cells available and I can secure the chastity harnesses myself, at your command. He asks, giving more credibility to the illusion.
Ashamintallu flinches and whimpers at the mention of chastity harnesses.
"Sorshen" looked down at the now submissive succubus and then looked at Ulfr when he spoke of getting the chastity harness. Her expression was thoughtful and she looked back at Ashamintallu and said, "I am quite tempted, you deserve punishment and torment for impersonating me and trying to harm my heir Saersha," she gestured towards the wizardess and looked at her with a stern expression.
Saersha bowed her head to Sorshen and then said, "It is your decision of course She Who Lusts, but if I may make a suggestion?"
Sorshen cocked one hip and gave Saersha a thoughtful look before she gestured for the wizard to proceed, "If Ashamintallu binds herself to my service in penance, agrees to do as I command of her and not feed without my express permission, I would think that would teach her the humility she needs to learn."
Embyr pales and sidles up to Saersha. "Mistress... I don't... I don't think that's a good idea." She whispers in her ear.
Ada keeps her cold iron blade ready, but she looks at Saersha with a confused expression.
"Of course... an oath without a binding spell is really just an invitation to disappointment," chimes in Azura.
With one hand concealed Saersha gestured to Ada discreetly hoping the succubus wouldn't notice. She hoped the woman would catch on and do what needed to be done while they had the chance.
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Ryn's keen eyes study her companions, reading everyone's subtle cues and noting Azura's advice on how unlikely binding or controlling the succubus would be.
In a sudden blur of movement, the gladiatrix grasps the cowering demoness in an intricate lock, drawing both arms behind her to the point of visible strain on her shoulders, a boot firmly planted at the base of her neck, forcing her head to the ground, neck exposed and ready for final judgment that had eluded her for centuries. She looks over to Ada, giving her a subtle nod.
Ashamintallu doesn't notice Saersha's gesture, focused as she is on the projection of Sorshen. That very swiftly changes when Ryn seizes her and pins her to the floor, causing the succubus to start shrieking in fear.
Ada steps up and brings her cold iron sword down.
There's a wet *SCHICK!*
And her screaming abruptly stops as her head rolls free.
As demon blood pools on the stage, violet magical energy begins to crackle through the air and arcane sigils around the floor begin to glow as the dead succubus' form disintegrates into countless flecks of ash. A howling wind rushes through the hall, driving towards the stage in a raging gale and carrying demonic remains with it.
There's a SNAP as a thin, vertical violet line cuts upward from the back of the stage and opens outward into a brilliant purple disk--with what looks like an image of an incredibly lavish bedroom beyond it.
A pile of items lies where the succubus' corpse used to be:
--4 deep blue potions;
--1 pair of knee-high black high-heeled boots with gold trim;
--1 elaborately-forged guisarme with a head fashioned in the shape of a sihedron.
--1 wand of ancient-looking oak.
Saersha was a bit saddened to see Ashamintallu go. Having a tame succubus would be rather enjoyable but ultimately far too dangerous. Besides, she felt pity the being and knew that now she was released from her imprisonment and no longer a threat to anyone. Saersha gathered up the items that Ashamintallu had left behind as she dismissed the illusion and said, "We can examine these later. I think our destination lies ahead." She slung the guisarmme across her back and the wand into a loop on her component pouches while stashing the other things in her pack for now.
Saersha entered the portal and looked around the bedroom reverently. This, she was sure, was her ancestor's personal bedroom and it was monumental for her to be in it. She began to look around, the object of their journey should be here somewhere, as she tried to search for her piece of the Sihedron. "When we find the fragment let me be the one to pick it up if you please. Hopefully I will have the best chance of resisting it's influence."
Ulfr is all smiles at the efficient and subtle work his group had done. He'd have to write a splendid song about this day!
He casually moves about the room trying not to touch anything.
"Well, now we have an enemy of a succubus... at least she's back wherever they come from," quips Azura.
"Probably everything in here has a magical aura. I wonder where she'd hide the piece of the Sihedron... ?"
Saersha shook her head and said, "No, I don't think we have an enemy in her. I am pretty sure she no longer exists." Saersha sighed as she gave up looking and went to sit on the edge of the bed, "If she had been a summoned creature then yes, we would have to worry. Unfortunately for her she was likely called via some other method which means it wasn't just a semblance of her we killed. Since outsiders have no separation of soul and body we effectively beheaded her soul, or it's equivalent, and that means she ceased to be."
Saersha bounced a bit on the bed, it was extremely soft, and she found she very much just wanted to lie back and enjoy the luxurious comfort of it. Saersha did lean back but she began to extend her senses, trying to sense the flow of the towers magics, so she could tap into it if needed.
The bedroom beyond the portal is an ovoid, white marble chamber with an opulent domed ceiling rising twenty feet above and sparkling with polished silver. A pair of mosaic snake patterns decorate the floor to the north and south. Polished black marble pillars rise up along the edges of the room, with metal manacles hanging from their inward-facing sides at a height of five feet.
Articles of armour and clothing lie scattered across the floor, while to one side of the room an upraised platform sits a foot above the rest of the room. Said platform is strewn with dozens upon dozens of pillows, and beyond them lies an enormous, canopied bed.
Stashed underneath the bed are three black marble footlockers, and they open easily once retrieved. The final box under the bed is carved of pink stone and engraved with a seven-pointed star upon its lid.
When the chests were discovered Saersha rose and cast her spell to see the auras they might contain. She had already removed the various magical items and laid them on the bed so she was unencumbered as she bent forward.
The Box with the Sihedron on it caught her immediate attention and Saersha examined it carefully. It was then that she noticed the two dormant portals and, more importantly, the aura coming from under the bed. Saersha pointed at the portals as she rose and said, "Stay away from those, they are dormant, but not inactive, portals. There is also something under here..."
Saersha pulled the guisarme down and noted it was magical as well, as she bent down to the floor. She looked under the bed for the source of the magic and, if needed, used the guisarme to help pull the source closer so she could reach it if she deemed it safe noting that he weapon was magical as well.
The first black footlocker contains:
--A leather pouch containing a dozen tourmalines worth 100 GP each;
--Six black pearls worth 500 GP each;
--Two sapphires worth 1,000 GP each;
--A violet-coloured cloth bag with silver embroidery around its top and an image of a beautiful golden crown stitched on it; A bag of holding II.
--A clear pink crystal sphere the size of a halfling's head; An orb of consumption.
The second black footlocker contains six spellbooks in mostly good condition. A cursory look through them reveals that they're mainly filled with enchantment spells, with a few spells from other schools as well (except for transmutation or necromancy).
The third black footlocker contains:
--a large grey breastplate engraved with an image of a pseudodragon fighting an imp; A +1 light fortification breastplate.
--a small blue ring; A minor ring of electricity resistance.
--an ancient-looking coin bearing a sihedron on one side and the Rune of Lust on the other; A whispering coin.
--a set of glasses with violet lenses; A pair of goggles of night.
--a flat iron bar with a button on one end; An immovable rod.
--two red spider-silk drawstring pouches with dust in them; Two pouches of dust of appearance.
--one blue spider-silk drawstring pouch with dust inside; A pouch of dust of dryness.
--one green spider-silk drawstring pouch with dust inside; A pouch of dust of illusion.
--a pair of deep red riding boots; Boots of striding and springing.
The pink box contains a shard of metal coloured deep red and bearing a powerful enchantment aura--this is undoubtedly the Shard of Lust!
Saersha's eyes lit up as she looked through everything they had found. It wasn't until they got to the last one, the thing they had been looking for, that she knew they had found the shard. The shard called to her as she picked up the box and Saersha's hand drifted towards it almost involuntarily. With no real thought Saersha picked up the fragment in her bare hand.
...you are the only one who matters in this life. You are the True Heir to the title of the Runelord of Lust. You are She Who Lusts, and all others are yours to play with or torment. With but a few words, you can compel even the strongest-willed to serve you--and those who try to do the same will find themselves lacking.
Your hands move with greater alacrity than before.
And you really, really, really, really, really need to get laid.
Embyr blinks and sidles up next to Saersha as she plucks the shard from its box. "Mistress...?"
"... who's got the ioun stone?"
Ada and Zev both fumble around in their pockets.
"...oh dear, I hope I didn't drop it--" The shaman moans before her eyes light up. "--there! Thank heavens, I found it!"
She pulls out a small pink-and-green sphere.
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Watching Searsha's face and body language closely Ryn's eyes widen. "Pass the ioun stone to Embyr...quickly, because Saersha is about to devour her!" she whispers.
Ada steps up to Embyr and just manages to get the ioun stone into her hand before...
Saersha felt the heat wash through her as her hunger to sate her denied lust grew to unfathomable proportions. Saersha understood now that she was the only one who mattered and that she had truly become the Heir to She Who Lusts and that all lived only to sate her appetites. Any who tried to imitate her or deny here were lacking and would be made to bend to Her will!
Saersha looked at Embyr hungrily as she approached her maid with the most seductive swish she'd ever managed. "My Pet," she purred, "come here," she gestured with one finger to approach, the finger sliding along the bottom of Embyr's jaw to tilt her head back. Saersha wasn't paying any attention to what Ryn was doing but instead plunged her lips down towards Embyrs to kiss her maid deeply and hungrily.
"Mistr--? MMmphh!" Embyr starts before Saersha snogs her full-force.
Thinking quickly, she links fingers with her mistress' hand--specifically, the one holding the Shard of Lust, and tries to palm the ioun stone into the small divot in its top...
...and lets out a muffled curse as the stone falls out of her hand and onto the bed!
Ulfr cues in to what's going on. Those stones brought out the worst in you, or so they had in him. His recklessness had nearly killed him when he had taken the Rage stone, and Saersha was about to do something very much more damaging if she wasn't brought under control. He strides up to the Heir of Lust and attempts to physically pry her off of her... snack?
Come on now, Saersha, that's enough!
Azura says, "Ryn! Get the stone into the socket!", knowing as she does that Ryn is much better at grappling and maneuvering than she is.
Ryn quickly dashes over to the bed, scooping up the ioun stone, as Ulfr occupies Saersha. She moves to quickly put the stone into the socket of the shard, not worrying about subtlety.
As Ulfr manages to yank Saersha off of Embyr, Ryn snatches up the ioun stone and moves to plug it into the Shard's socket. It slides into place with a little *click*.
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Saersha deepend the kiss and began to pull at Embyr's clothes when her maid touched the fragment and suddenly became more interested in what they were doing. Then Ulfrinterfered! For a moment Saersha tried to resist but instead began to rub against him, particularly her butt against his crotch. She didn't She didn't care who she took first, or at the same time, she just needed release!
Then Suddenly Ryn dashed at her and Saersha thought she had just hit the jackpot! Now she just needed to get Azura into the mix and it would be an Orgy to sate her for a time! Suddenly the stone clicked into place and the sudden wave of lust dampened considerably even if it wasn't completely ended.
Saersha was no longer fully dressed, her struggles having caused most of her to spill out into plain view. She didn't care about that and instead looked back at Ulfr and asked archly, "So are you planning to do something with me no that you caught me big man?" and rubbed her rear against him suggestively once again.
Embyr's face turns bright pink and she rolls off the bed, away from Ulfr, Ryn and Saersha. A whole bevy of emotions swirls about on her face.
Ulfr, who still suffering from prolonged Excitement can't help but press back into Saersha for half a moment. A powerful instinct drove him to just go for it. But something shifts in his eyes and he suddenly releases her almost as if she was on fire. (Not that she wasn't, in a way). Is it normal to feel that much through that many layers of clothes, or is it just Her?
He steps away and coughs. His eyes dart around, seeking something (anything!) to look at besides the exposed Saersha. He stammers, Uh, no. I... no... I couldn't. It. It's not you. You.. You're.. ohmy. *cough* I just... I swore not to, not while you're... well like that. You might not be you.
"...yeah, what he said." Embyr mumbles, pulling her hood down to hide her reddened face.
"I kinda feel like maybe we should gooooo."
"Yes! Yes, wonderful idea!" Ada readily agrees, beginning to gather up the magic items on the bed and stowing them away while avoiding Saersha's eyes. "There's also the matter of the Grey Maidens still here, and Shylei too!"
"Well, that makes it clear why Ashamintallu was so completely deluded." Ryn mutters, getting off the bed and taking a deep breath. "Everybody take a moment to clear your head. Azura and Ada are right. As luxurious as this place is, we should get out of here, be sure that it isn't affecting every little decision."
Saersha went about getting her clothing adjusted to be back on all the way without a care in the world. If she was embarrassed she didn't show it but she did look over at Embyr with some concern. She decided to give her maid her space for now and instead went to look at the portals.
The runes on the northernmost portal seem to indicate that it leads to a nexus that governs the many ambient features of the Lady's Light--everything from temperature and humidity to the aphrodisiac mist plaguing the marshlands outside.
The southernmost portal's runes indicate that the portal's destination can be wherever in the Lady's Light the Shard's bearer desires--and that it will remain open as long as its bearer needs it to be. It should allow you to get around the dungeon much more easily.
"So...that was...intense," Ryn mutters to Azura as she stows the multitude of valuable items into the elegant bag of holding.
Azura replies to Ryn, "I think we're seeing the downfall of the Runelords reflected in the Sihedron shards. Each shard overwhelms its bearer, making them lose control to their associated sins. In the same way, the Runelords themselves were overcome with obsession with their various sins, in hopes of gaining enough magical power to overcome their foes and take over the world. They lost their sense of personal control and internal discipline in their quest for external domination. It's a poignant lesson. Power over others is useless if you lack power over yourself. And if your quest for power consumes your ego, you will overreach yourself and eventually make a mistake that you will regret."
Saersha, having finished examining the portals, called out, "We can use these portals to get around." She waited for them to gather round and pointed at first one, "This one will take me to the environmental controls so I can stop the aphrodisiac mist from spreading into the surrounding areas anymore. That one," she pointed a the other portal, "Serves to open a portal to anywhere inside Lady's Light so we can get around easier. If there is one that will let us open a portal out of here to elsewhere I have not yet found it."
"That's a sobering thought, considering what we're likely to run into with the other shards." Ryn replies after a moment of consideration. "We're gonna need to help keep each others' heads on straight."
Just shut off the f***ing mist and then get us to the entrance. That'll be good enough. Ulfr grumbles.
"Agreed, let's get the mist shut off so our lizard friends aren't troubled any more, then we can see what else there is to find with a bit more safety," says Azura. "Plus with the succubus defeated this area in general should be a little safer, and we can let the Gray Maidens know that THAT part of the job is done." She grins cheekily and adds, "Heck, maybe they'll decide to 'reward' you, Ulfr."
Ulfr grins, but it's a small one. As long as we're far, far away from here.
With seeming general agreement Saersha went to the portal that led to the control room and held the Shard of Lust up to it. When the portal sprang to life Saersha looked back and said, "I'll be back in just a few minutes." With that she walked through the portal.
The portal opens with a *WOOSH* noise and you step through, emerging into an oddly-shaped room. Its walls appear strangely moulded, their surfaces like sweaty pink clay infused with bits of glittering crystal. The floor looks like dry, cracked red mud in colour, with the ceiling arching only eight feet overhead. A mosaic of a coiled snake is on the floor beneath the portal you emerge from, and a soft buzzing noise fills the air as you turn the corner.
The room beyond contains a large stone desk that takes up the entire northeastern corner of the room, riddled with switches, dials and runes.
Saersha immediately turned the mist setting so it would no longer leak from the structure into the swamp. That should take care of what they came here for. She didn't activate any of the spells at her fingertips, at least not right now. They might be fun some other time though.
Saersha's gaze turned to the other dials as she tried to puzzle out their uses through magically augmented sight.
