And, assuming Illia- does not protest, she puts her hand on one of the walls. Waves of earth pulse back and forth, as elementals swarm into the cave wall and disappear. "Inefficient spells," she mutters, "But the abyss is not a natural place." And about ten minutes later, a stony fist emerges through the wall, dropping the crushed body of a quest onto the ground. Acting quickly, the druid cleans off a few of the creature's leg bones, stripping flesh with her teeth and spitting it not the floor, then notching the resultant bones with a sharp rock.
The whole thing takes perhaps half an hour, start to finish, until she holds three crudely carved bones, which are carefully tossed into the air. And then the druid's eyes widen even further. "Adrexa's alive? After all this time?"
Assuming Illia- tells a bit more about the current state of the city, Diamond requests a list of names and descriptions of as many of the city's lesser residents as Illia- remembers. Unfortunately, the only communication spell she has access to is Nightmare, which cannot target undead, outsiders, constructs, or sleep-immune Drow—but after a bit of discussion, she begins chain-casting the spell, targeting every one of Illia-'s harpies with the same recurring dream of her own bloody face, moaning "I'mmmm aliiiiive... find me below Ghahaaaaazi..."
It takes another day, but eventually Illia- gets a message, in the form of a Sending spell in Crimson's voice. Help has been notified. Expect scrying, subtlety a necessity; would not be wise to taunt the lord of this demon realm with a direct gate.
And then a second message: ...And Illia: ask "Diamanda" whose bones we buried beneath the eighth library. If she answers any name or creature, kill her, and await new instructions.
Everyone else:
The party continues their preparations for several more days. Drisquar drills infiltration plans with the holy crusaders, as well as the several Siabrae volunteers. Anaxian crafts the necessary ammunition and tools to drop a mountain on a castle, and casts a few Make Whole spells on Illia's armor, as a flying suit of healing armor might still be helpful in such a fight. Inubrix sharpens his... fists? as he and Meridian spend more time in the tunnels beneath the Circle of Hierophants, trying to memorize the location of every large gem cluster they can in preparation.
And then, as the crafting finishes, a bit before the planned attack, the party members receive Sending messages from Sir John. Illia has asked to communicate that she still lives. Escaped Shaorhaz's torture prison with what's left of Diamanda, now lost in Abyssal realm of Ghahazi.
"Where the hells is that and how do we get there? Even without a key I could navigate there through the astral. (Astral projection) Though how we get them out I couldn't say. Any ideas? "
[diplanes DC 28]1d20+11
Planes
"oh wait. I've heard of that place. An old forsaken place known as graveyard of cities. Vrolikai come from there as does the ruling demon lord of ruins and gluttony. "
"Hmm, our initial intention was to find and/or rescue Diamanda. We could just go and rescue them, and count this a success. However, I think helping the Siabrae and ending the threat of Shaorhaz once and for all is incredibly beneficial to us. Not only are they going to pay us extremely well, but we'll gain very solid allies up here on the surface world." He pauses and grins "Besides, I really wanna see Anaxian drop a mountain from space on to the fortress"
With sudden realization,
"Oh wait. I think I know where the astral pool to that place is. It's been awhile, but it should be more or less the same area. I'll go get them! (pause) Well, It'll be tomorrow at earliest. I don't currently have the means to bring them back."
"Unless of course one of you has a scroll of Planeshift?" Meridian asks quizzically
Either with or without the planeshif scroll Meridian waves in a mocking gesture of friendship that somehow also seems menacing. She turns and vanishes as she's enveloped by the astral winds.
Meridian looks around at the plane known for being as bleak as it is vast. She briefly glances at the silvery chord trailing behind her. With a look of disapproval she thinks "I need to figure out how to protect or remove that. I dislike having such an obvious weakness. Better make this quick."
With an act of will she causes the astral winds to carry her along. Though technically moving at great speed nothing visibly changes due to the vast bleakness of the plane. However, there is one exception. A circular portal with a greenish orange event horizon no more than about three feet diameter. "I don't remember it being so small." With a shrug Meridian dives through head first.
Meridian looks around disapprovingly. The portal is nowhere to be seen since it only exists on the astral. "Well, this place sucks."
Now that they're presumably on the same plane Meridian reaches out Telepathically to Illia.
"Illia?"
Unless the connection doesn't work for some reason Meridian proceeds to describe her location enough for Illia to teleport to her then lead them both to Diamanda. Either via the scroll or after re-preparing spells Meridian brings everyone back to the Ashara.
Allo! Good to hear you, Meri.
Allo! Good to hear you, Meri.
Meridian proceeds to describe her location enough for Illia to teleport to her then lead them both to Diamanda. Either via the scroll or after re-preparing spells Meridian brings everyone back to the Ashara.
*poof* We're all in Ashara.
Telepathically to the rest of the group. "I have them back in the city. Is there any benefit helping the Paladins or does Anaxian just want to drop the mountain to see if he can? "
"Response: I possess no such scroll."
Illia-:
Meridian journeys to the abyss, landing on roughly the same level as Illia- and Diamanda. Far enough away from Sharohaz’s prison that the Katpaskir demon can sense no local teleportation, Meridian meets the Erinyes, and, with a precise description and accounting of the druid’s hidey-cave, returns to Escarra for help—and, minutes later, an interplanar Gate opens up in the cave, providing a direct pathway back to the necropolis.
Meredian:
The Crimson Stranger works quickly; despite the fact that, like all powerful magic, opening a Gate to the abyss disrupts somewhat the form to which you are accustomed. Boldened, perhaps, by your consistent chain of successes, she approaches the task quickly, and for the first time you catch a glimpse of her broken form without her retreating. Transmutation and illusion spells melt away, and her human form is momentarily reduced to what appears to be a skeleton coated in a thick layer of lead, before she steps out of her body to draw a few magic circles. To Meridian’s trained senses, Crimson appears to be nothing more than a faint astral projection (like herself, though perhaps more translucent) as she casts the spell, before quickly muttering a Possession and then merging back with the skeleton, which warps and swells through a variety of forms before settling again on “human.”
Party Telepathic Bond:
The “home team” liches, in conversation, hold council for several hours. Queen Adrexa sees little real benefit to an alliance with the Siabrae, but Jiator supports acquiring a new source of gemstones, and Sir John still holds a bit of a grudge against demonkind in general. Diamanda wants nothing further to do with the Worldwound’s undead druids, and wishes to spend the next few weeks recovering, exploring the caverns around Escarra, and finding ways to diplomatically sever her ties with the unambitious necromantic druids of the Uskwood.
After a bit of discussion on the tactical situation, Jiator mentions that he’s been building something he’d like to test out against Greengrave Keep, and so, alongside Meridian and Illia-, he enters the city’s second Gate of the day, joining the party at their preparatory camp in the Forest of Stones.
All in all, a small army is beginning to form, as the party, their Siabrae allies, and a band of crusaders meet at several camps just outside the one-mile scouting perimeter Drisuqar has observed around Greengrave Keep.
Drisquar:
With the battle approaching, the party manages to keep the crusaders from meeting their new, stranger allies, and so it falls primarily to the angelic Drisquar to give them reassurances of their role. The crusaders, specializing in demoncidal ranged combat, prepare to await the impact of some great attack on the fortress, after which they will rain holy water and blessed arrows onto precision targets beyond shattered walls. In case this view is obstructed, Jiator has offered to use one of his lyres to construct a simple archery tower of some sort in the midst of battle.
Inubrix:
The Siabrae similarly respect Inubrix, as the most obviously capable fighter on the team (at least against Siabrae) and seem to await commands from him. All in all, five Siabrae of various druidic rank volunteer for the battle. Religious prohibitions prevent them from flying over the fortress’s walls through any magical means, but Jiator says he’s planning out a way to quickly get the squadron of druids into the fortress nonetheless.
Illia-:
[ooc]In case it never got brought up, Anaxian got your weapon and armor; and it should be extremely quick (just a few Make Whole spells) to get them back to good shape for a fight.
Anaxian:
Jiator, in his general role overseeing the city’s undead workforce, is happy to bring with him any of Anaxian’s horrors that the dragon thinks will be useful in this fight.
He has also brought with him several Lyre of Building, requesting in the most diplomatic overtures to assist on the construction of Anaxian’s sky missile; assuming the dracolich assents, he uses an hour of string music to construct aerodynamic grooves and flanges on the boulder, smoothing out irregularities that might knock it off course. Curiously, Jiator also weaves mud and dirt from the parched ground into the boulder itself, forming a red-layered coating of blasted earth. ”I’ve spoken with our Siabrae ‘allies,’” he explains, ”And with some persuasion, coaxed out the fact that they are truly immortal while in contact with the blighted earth of the Worldwound. Assuming I can devise this right, your meteor should spread a coating of blighted dust across the floors and foundations of the building it craters into, meaning any druids we can land inside will be able to fight in a frenzy of suicidal abandon.”
The “something” Jiator wants to test out appears to be a huge-sized, invisible catapult, which moves under its own power, following him quietly on wheels that turn themselves.
DC 33 Knowledge (engineering) for nested spoiler below
"Jiator, What is that contraption? "
"Analysis: An engineer's solution to religious restrictions. Excellent." Inubrix says, with as much amusement as an emotionless creature could have in their voice.
"They can't fly, but they can be thrown? Do I understand that right?"
"Oooh! I wanna try!"
"So it would seem, rather ingenious actually. I'm guessing maybe it has something to do with the boulder being partially infused with the essence of the Worldwound."
"The metal man is correct," the tiny lich replies. "Well... sort of. I've been toying around with the idea of using Bloody Skeletons as siege ammunition, without too much success. I thought I'd test my catapult out on a few hardier undead, and it seems a perfect workaround for our Siabrae allies, who should be able to survive impact with at least most of their limbs intact. Additionally, the transformation abilities of a flying druid—being able to metamorphose into an elephant or dinosaur just prior to impact—should present a fascinating study in ballistics."
"Clarification: Religious restrictions can be a tricky, and yet not tricky, set of laws to circumvent. They often prohibit things that can later be overcome by emerging ideas or technology or magic, or use completely arbitrary language in terms of legalities."
"Clever." Anaxian said. "The Lyres should be an excellent improvement to my counterpart's plan. I believe he was simply going to dig a spiraling tunnel through the tip of the mountain, and then lift it free, losing some of it in the ascent. They Lyres will be able to create a much more solid and cohesive meteor."
"It may even be possible to create more than one of them. By teleporting to pick up an additional meteor and with magically assisted speed to aid in his ascent, a second meteor could by on it's way downward shortly after the first impacted."
"The first would draw surviving enemies out to investigate. They would likely be unprepared and exposed when the second hit."
Jiator shrugs. "First meteor should turn to glass every loose stone in the fortress. Whatever survives, will probably be due to protection against fire and crushing. We could make a second meteor, but I'd recommend dropping it right after the first, before anyone has a chance to heal or throw up protective barriers."
"How would you recommend we do that? Only one meteor can be lifted at a time."
"How would you recommend we do that? Only one meteor can be lifted at a time."
"Maybe you could make another body or whatever."
Certainly a thought. I have a spare set of Muleback Cords and I am sure a strength enhancing item could be easily obtained, as could the potions which further enhance lifting. Beyond those things, all that matters is size and a proper winged quadrupedal build.
The little dragon tilted his head as he realized he had already built such a creature.
"I can do it myself. I simply need to be larger. An easy thing."
Vrolikai around 90% hp
Gallu around 80% hp
Katpaskir around 70% hp
Mariliths around 60% hp
Nalfeshnee around 50% hp
Glabrezu around 40% hp
Hezrou around 30% hp
About 50% of Vrocks survive at critical hp
About 5% of Babau survive at critical hp
Demons resist fire; but unlike the denizens of Hell, are rarely immune to it. Many bear magical protection against mundane weapons, however. Anaxian's first meteor crashes down out of the sky with no warning or whistle, traveling far faster than the speed of sound—though miles away, half of the Worldwound lands hear an echoing sonic boom.
The first impact collides with the south-eastern corner of the fortress, cutting straight through a rooftop prismatic wall and melting a section of stone and metal on impact. With a blinding white flash and noise louder than anyone in the party has ever even imagined, bright ejecta pour out in an instantaneous wave, washing over the fortress, melting the compound's other walls into twisting and crumbling shapes, like a sandcastle washed over by a single mild wave. Demons stagger about and scream, some trapped under puddles of lava and desperately gasping for air as they sink, some clutching at burned or severed limbs and cawing gutturally in confusion and pain. Few seem to be outright killed or vaporized, but by the time the first meteor hits, a second is brightly streaking downwards through the air, thanks to Anaxian's quick teleportation and a speed-boost from Jiator's helpful magic.
Gazing impassibly, one of the Siabrae manages to almost smile to the assembled party. "No child of the earth fears lava," he remarks; "We will swim through it as predators, sharks, devouring the demonic taint until it exists no more."
And then there is a second thunder crack, though slightly softer, as it collides with nearly the same spot, sinking into softened earth. A hundred demons have already escaped the fortress, flying several hundred feet straight upwards, when the impact hits. A wave of molten rock, smoother than the last, washes over the fortress again, crumbling damaged walls into vast melted patterns of rubble; but most impressively, the fortress's walls of force hold, and as the waves of lava wash against the outer walls they splash upwards, forming a square plume that catches most of the flying demons, coating their wings and dragging them back to earth like screaming fireflies. (And, fortunately, leaving everything outside the fortress walls mostly unharmed, except where the wave of lava crashes down nearby).
It is hard to see the details from far away, but the party, and their allies, are exceptionally skilled at perception. After the second impact, far fewer figures stir within the walls of the fortress. The outer walls still hold, where the walls of force passed through them, neatly bisected, with their outer edges showing careful stonework and inner edges of smooth melted stone; and until Jiator has constructed a tower of some height, they will be impossible to see or fire over except for those party members capable of flight. The floor is lava (literally)—although the few demonic figures that remain seem to have climbed out of this deadly hazard, anyone who sets foot in the fortress will risk sinking into it for the next minute or two until a stable crust forms.
Additionally, the bright glow of the lava is nearly blinding, even from this distance. A cloud of volcanic smoke and ash still hangs in the air over most of the fortress, making vision difficult at the moment for anyone without fogcutting lenses.
And thus, the battle begins.
A1: NW corner of fortress. No signs of movement visible.
A2: One smaller demonic figure staggers about in pain.
A3: Three demons visible. Part of a structure still stands.
A4: Obscured by smoke. (Fogcutting: only rubble visible)
A5: NE corner of fortress. Obscured by smoke. (Fogcutting: only rubble visible)
B1: Six demons appear to be banding together.
B2: Two extremely large demons.
B3: Four demons visible.
B4: Obscured by smoke. (Fogcutting: two small demons)
B5: Obscured by smoke. (Fogcutting: only rubble visible)
C1: Only rubble stands.
C2: Part of the inner structure still stands, though slowly sinking into lava. A dozen or so demons appear to be swarming out of it.
C3: Obscured by smoke. (Fogcutting: a sizable portion of the inner structure still stands)
C4: Obscured by smoke. (Fogcutting: no demons visible)
C5: Obscured by smoke. (Fogcutting: a strangely-shaped creature is on fire)
D1: No lava in this square; eight figures of various size appear to huddle behind a Resilient Sphere.
D2: Obscured by smoke. (Fogcutting: Two demons stand back-to-back)
D3: Obscured by smoke. (Fogcutting: five demons appear to be rifling through this portion of the rubble for weaponry.)
D4: Obscured by smoke. (Fogcutting: no demons visible)
D5: Obscured by heavy smoke. (Fogcutting: the smoke is too heavy)
E1: SW corner of fortress. Obscured by smoke. (Fogcutting: The lava here bubbles and swirls strangely).
E2: Obscured by smoke. (Fogcutting: A large, serpentine creature appears to be thrashing around in the lava)
E3: Obscured by smoke. (Fogcutting: Four demons are attempting to climb the still-melting inner wall.)
E4: Obscured by heavy smoke. (Fogcutting: the smoke is too heavy)
E5: SE corner of fortress. Obscured by heavy smoke. (Fogcutting: the smoke is too heavy)
::Anyone want first ride in the catapult?:: Jiator asks telepathically, ::Or do I start flinging druids?::
Illia- teleports 800 feet forward from their artillery and "artillery" emplacements, hoping to lure anti-teleport guy into another fight.
Anaxian the larger had folded his wings and fallen with his meteor, banking at about 500 feet from the ground and soaring clear of the next meteor.
He circled, shrouded in smoke, watching the destruction with a sense of subdued satisfaction. He hadn't considered that there would be quite so much lava. Suddenly it was as though the battlefield had been designed for him.
He aimed for a pool of lava near a group of demons looking for weapons, and fell like a stone, angling at the last second to redirect his momentum.
Sir Pala Din shields his eyes from the lava's glow with his buckler, and activates his winged boots, prepared to fly up to the tower once Jiator builds it.
Anaxian the not-quite-as-small-right-now released his meteor and fell with it as well, banking at around the same height as his counterpart. He was invisible, still preferring stealth and guile despite his increased size.
He scanned the battlefield looking for groups of corpses. He was mildly disappointed that the lava had consumed most of them already.
Knowing his own undead were going to be all but useless in this fight given the amount of holy energy that was about to be raining down, he had opted not to bring them. He circled, waiting to see the effects of the first volley from the crusaders. He didn't want to be caught in that if he could help it.
Instead, he scanned the battlefeild, taking a closer look at the remaining enemies and telepathically relaying the information to his allies.
The towering Raxus nodded to Sir Pala, giving him a half grin. He never thought he'd be working with a cult of undead druids and... whoever this other weird group of angels and dragons and drow was, but the worldwound was a place that made strange bedfellows. Pala was the picky one. Raxus didn't much care so long as demons were dying.
Next to him was a stack of fifty pound cannonballs, a stack of iron casks full of black powder and cold iron sling bullets, and a stack of holy water barrels.
He stirrupped his fingers together and waited for the first volunteer to get tossed.
Inubrix undergoes a series of rapid physical changes, the tiny drones that comprise his form shifting and buzzing until complete.
Swift: Free Shift (0 PP) Major Metamorphosis
Move: Free Shift (0 PP) Major Metamorphosis
Standard: Manifest Energy Adaptation (7 PP, all 5 energies, resist 30pts)
Metamorphosis Choices: 4 picks mix-n-match from EMC and AMC.
EMC: +6 STR
EMC: 2 picks from EMB.
- EMB: decrease size two categories
- EMB: +20ft to land speed
AMC: +40 temp HP
AMC: 3 additional slam attacks (Punchy Inubrix Mode)
Big Anaxian banks downwards, fast—several times faster than gravity should allow, though his immunity to fire helps him maintain this speed.
Small Anaxian is too high up to get a great view—and the lava shines brightly, but he can make reasonable guesses as to the identities of every huge-sized creature through the smoke and heat, mostly from the size and number of limbs on their darkened silhouettes. The two large demons at square B2 appear to be Nalfeshnees, with their massive blubbery bodies and small wings. Four-armed, claw-handed Glabrezus appear to tower over their fellows at A3 and B3, with two present in square D2. The strange creature at C5 may be a Retriever construct, though likely with some major anatomical alterations; and the serpentine creature at E2 is some sort of huge dragon.