Zhu Da tusha, irritated that someone would interfere in his plans, scowl's at the succubus. Do you typically need help to charm a creature?
Planes
Religion
Meridian smirks as though she just thought of the most devious joke
"Ahh. I see now. You wear this little trollop like a bad suit. We're I to venture a guess I'd say you were a shadow demon. Am I close?
Her grin becomes positively mischievous.
Meridian holds her words to see if either the succubus or ilithid can warp its mind for information. Best to let those talented do their work when it's aligned to ones goals.
"I am no demon," the Shadowdancer replies. And then, in Infernal:
"I am something far more powerful, and far more determined, who serves a hierarchy outside of Hell. And you do not frighten me, figment."
And then, turning to Delyliath. "At least you seem to have some sense. I can aid you, if you need it, in breaking J'ndarr's skull out of its tomb. And then, when you come back to this bridge, I will relieve you of it, and pay you for your services by sparing your lives. We can discuss further terms and payments at that time."
Del's wiles seem to have had little effect.
"tsk. Tsk. Come now. Your species isn't your important designation, but thank you for clarifying. The important designations to remember about you are 'bootlick', 'minion", 'gopher', and my personal favorite 'pawn.' *pause for emphasis* You're just a piece on someone else's board. You're not even part of hell's army anymore. What did you do? Save a puppy or something? *small sultry laugh* You're Hardly even worth the trouble except now you've made a nuisance of yourself in addition to making he extreme mistake of thinking yourself my better. Silly, silly little tool. Fear not. Because I am so kind, generous, and beautiful I'll give you one final opportunity to go running back to your master with your tail between your legs. Or you can stay and meet oblivion. You'll probably choose the latter, because you're an idiot. "
Telepathic exchange between Mer and the ring only
"get ready"
Mer readies an action to cast a spell if the creature comes at her.
The ring readies an action to defend its mistress.
Hold. Feel free to keep talking to it. The distraction is welcome.
Hold. Feel free to keep talking to it. The distraction is welcome.
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"Shut. Up." the Shadowdancer replies, and suddenly Meredian is telepathically assaulted.
You've just been hit with a Dominate Person effect, that you managed to shrug off. As an actual, living Drow, you also happen to be the only member of this group that the spell would actually affect.
You are filled with an overwhelming compulsion to cease talking, and to await further orders from the Shadowdancer, whose words now fill your mind in large capital letters.
While the others spoke with the Demon, Anaxian had once again taken the opportunity to slip out of sight.
Da tusha casts detect thoughts towards the shadowdancer.
And ZDt can't get any sort of read on her, other than the fact that she has a mind.
"Shut. Up." the Shadowdancer replies, and suddenly Meredian is telepathically assaulted.
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** spoiler omitted **
Meredian looks left, then right as if she's looking for something.
"Is that it? You cast something right? I'd berate your ineffectiveness, but frankly that was so pathetic there woundnt be any sport in it. Anyway, nice try, puppet. Off you go now. Shoo. "
Up above Anaxian retrieved a small silver ring from one clawed finger. He smeared a bit of a slightly golden goo from a stoppered bottle to two opposite points on the ring and released the enchantment on it.
It expanded to a braided hoop, ten feet across which he quickly stuck to the ceiling above the possessed shadow dancer.
Then he whispered a short binding and let the magic pour into the ring.
Further keeping up the distraction Mer further goads the devil
"On second thought don't go just yet. Your little trick was adorable. Do it again. It amuses me. "
The second Anaxian finishes his spell, the Shadowdancer collapses to her knees and screams. Slowly, she rises to her feet, feeling her face, and begins to scream.
"Where am I?!" the Shadowdancer screams. "Who are you?! What have you done?!"
The Shadowdancer appears no longer possessed.
A magic circle against evil allows a save against most kinds of mind control, but in the case of a Magic Jar spell, specifically keeps the possessor from exerting control. However, since Dimensional Anchor prevents the possessor from leaving the body, it is now trapped in a creature it has no control over, which also keeps it from using its spell-like abilities.
Assuming that is the spell effect in place here—as it appears to be—you've found a way to trap the devil for at least 24 hours, providing you can keep the Shadowdancer herself in the circle.
It's tricky to tell, but from the specific way in which Anaxian seems to have trapped it, you suspect this might be a Belier Devil—a very powerful and incredibly treacherous devil known for its patience and skill at possessing targets in positions of influence.
Laughing openly at the creatures predicament she bends slightly to look the creature in the eyes.
"Pompous flaccid idiot. "
Religion
Planes
Arcana
Spell craft
"Yeah you are right .. you are not a demon ... You are Just delusional..." Delyliath gives away a suffocated scorned laugh and smiles definitely amused at Meredian addressing the devil.
Expecially when the devil tries to shut her up.
"uuuh I guess you struck a nerve there." she says clearly delighted at the offended infernal-speaking creature.
"Still, your babbling is annoying me. You keep talking like you have some obvious upper hand here. Like we need to do what you say and thank you for the benevolence of yours and your master. and that.... that is not how it works." She says more seriously now.
"How it works is that you help us retrieving the skull, if you can and if you want, then you relieve us of nothing. You make your offer to us, you be nice and polite to us, and maybe, just maybe, if your offer is good enough we will consider it."
The succubus eyes doesn't leave those of the shadowdancer, but her mind reaches for Anaxian's.
"I don't think you need me to tell you by now but. If you feel like burning resources, right here right now would be a good time to do it"
From above, still hidden from view, Anaxian's spectral skull snapped out to brush the shadow dancer.
He glided down and landed next to Delyliath and glanced up at her.
The devil can no longer speak. Perhaps you could convince the host to calm down.
Meredian laughs openly. "that was fun. What shall we do with the bug in a bell jar now?
Speaking to Anaxian, "I presume you have this in hand. I believe those of us that can should ransack the vault while you deal with this annoyance. Sound good? Great. "
Assuming ascent Mer goes back to the statues and her form changes to that of the cleric wearing the appropriate tabard.
"I imagine if I stand here the rest of you might be able to pass behind me into the next room. "
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Anaxian gave a simple nod and continued to contemplate his captive.
Tian Elyia collapses, paralyzed by Anaxian's touch.
Meredian disguises himself as a cleric of Andirifkhu. As pushing her out of the way would constitute hostility, the Guardian stautes are unable to do so, and surprisingly just standing in the way seems to work.
You can hear something scuttling through the walls, like thousands of tiny insects.
After allowing the group to pass Meredian walks just inside the muddy room threshold.
She looks around and her expression turns to one or annoyance upon seeing the mud.
Perception
As the others enter the muddy room, they will find Dris, still in smoke form."Took ya guys long enough. I'm guessing this room is some sort of trap, thankfully I have no problem with the mud floor. However I do hear the sounds of several thousand insects within the walls, which might be unpleasant"
Anaxian pulls out his adamantine tipped chisel and begins carving a neat and precise binding circle right into the stone around the paralyzed body of the demon's host.
I'll handle the muddy hallway in a bit. Meanwhile, there's one important bit of information I appear to have not realized when Anaxian bound the devil.
A diabolic possession of the sort this likely involves would require the devil to remain close to its host—if not, slayign the host while the possessor cannot escape would trigger the death of the devil. And a Belier Devil, while using its possession ability, can turn ethereal; it is likely that a helpless ethereal devil body rests nearby or is even bound in some way to the target of its possession.
It appears to be mostly present inside of the Shadowdancer, but wispy, ethereal tentacles and arms of what you can only assume to be the possessing devil dangle helplessly outside of her body.
Anaxian finished his circle and took a good look at his captive, noticing something he hadn't before.
Something rattled hollow in his chest. If anyone had been around to hear it they might have thought is was a laugh.
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Anaxian taps one of the small gems set into the inside of his arm and then simply pointed. A veritable torrent of unerring arcane bolts erupted from his fingertip and one by one slammed into the helpless invisible demon.
Anaxian's mind-voice reached out to Deliath and Illia.
To finish my work with this demon I require a spell I do not currently possess. Would either of you be willing to take a trip to the city?
Sure. Let me feel around for a weak spot.
Illia will flutter around in the room to see if she can find a spot she can teleport from.