Andrea sighs when she hears what will happen if Eccardian still lives when Vourne lands. So another fight to the death it appears. Just like with Pavleen, leader of The Bastards, he fought to the death. Just like during the Six-Fold Trials, just like fighting Ilnerik's spawn in Delvehaven, just like fighting Ilnerik himself. Just terrible battle until the blood-soked end.
It actually makes me regret shattering the Aohl and ending the curse forever. What a useful threat and final option. We lose and we could make the city uninhabitable for Eccardian and Vourne.
You don't have to look at me that way Daniel, I am just being bitter.
"They used a genie to hallow out rooms and shafts. Near the top is where my brother has been lately, and the oil is there. I'm unaware of a rooftop entrance but he's grown distant in the last few days, things could have changed. the contract explains the distance."
She glares at the angel and then shrugs. "My brother's chief ally is a lieutenant sworn to Mammon's inner circle. Perhaps a captain or the aspect of Mammon himself will aware...your friend will be a prize they would love to torment for eons."
The Angel does not bad an eyelid at the woman.
I have existed in one form or another for eons woman. Battling the minions of Hell is why I exist. Movanic Diva's are infantry in heaven's armies and we are constantly patrolling the negative energy plane to fight undead and other horrors. Being called here, to aid those with the strength when Hell grips at the material plane is my purpose. I will die here, be captured or return home if we win. Either way I fill my role in the cosmos. Should Mammon himself come here on my account he will have left Hell and his rivals in the lower planes will act in his absence, it is the reason why the gods themselves stay in their domains. You think Asmodeus would look favorably on Mammon exerting his direct influence in Asmodeus's city?
Perhaps all of this is just one of Asmodeus's plans. He does lay claim to every single day and has existed as the oldest being in this reality. Who knows, perhaps all of this is just so he can move one pebble an inch and make someone trip and humiliate themselves.
"The nuances of Heaven and Hell escape me, I'm only mentioning possibilities. My point is simple: You would be a prize Mammon and his armies would covet. Unlike you, I do not relish in the possibility of being Mammon's, and his allies, plaything."
Perhaps we can use that then. I would rather not waste resources on your brother's fodder troops. If we can start from the top down, we might be able to bypass them and take on the lieutenants before we have been worn down. Em, Andrea, what options do we have for getting to the top of the statue. If he means to pour the oil from the eyes, that must mean there is a room at that level. We should start there, Chammerday can you confirm that, or know of a better entrance. You HAVE been inside yes?
"There are eyes and a room up there." She answers.
Daniel looks around for objections and other ideas.
Any voices against? We need to fly up there, invisibly as well. Teleporting would be better.
That sounds like a smart move. I can summon a single elemental that can lift one of us up. As for hiding our presence, I have nothing available.
"Why bother with invisibility, nearly anyone interested in hurting you can see you, and I doubt teleporting will work. You'll land and be instantly redirected into a deadly situation."
I am not saying it's a guarantee. I doubt they All could see us, the fewer spells and arrows flying our way on the way up the better. The elemental is a good idea. Likely they will dispel it once we have a lethal height so we need backup options. Azreal has wings and can carry at least one, Em can carry two or three in her hair. Azreal's Aura makes us immune to any 3rd tier or lower spell so any fireballs or lightning they toss our way will fail.
Invisibility would be good against the human troops at least, plus it would take time for them to focus on us if they don't see us flying in from far away. Anyways, if we can't get in from the top is there an entrance at the bottom that we could use? If we can get close enough, we can make a dash and I can seal off the approach with a Wall of Stone.
Wonderful. I would likewise use it to wall up the eyes if we are successful in getting in there. It will prevent non-teleporting fliers getting at our backs and also possibly make pouring the oil from the eyes impossible.
There is a commotion coming from outside the Hound as the citizens of the city begin to scream and run.
Daniel bolts upright and sprints for the windows, not silly enough to immediately run into a possible ambush, Azreal in tow, by the time they reach the windows both have their Greatswords in hand....
There is a crowd in the street pointing southward towards where the Arodennama Plaza is located. Their is mass confusion.
Andrea heads over as well. It looks like Eccardian is making his move if the screaming has started. Andrea looks to where the people are pointing even though the statue is not visible.
Chammedy walks out into the street and shakes her head. People are frantic some talking about the gods have forsaken this city other see it as a sign of some kind. "Asomedeus is upset he has sent legions of devils to punish the city for the chaos!" One person screams.
It appears it is time for us to act. Let's get moving. Fast. Everyone to their horses, Azreal, go invisible and fly above. Chammerday, will you and your consort be fighting alongside us or going to ground. It is YOUR soul at stake.
The paladin speaks as he helps everyone to their horses.
"I'll be fighting." She responds.
When the party gets closer to the statue, Andrea will use a scroll of Magic Circle against Evil on Aurelio (+2 AC/Saves vs Evil' 10' radius, 50 minutes)
Andrea also casts Protection from Energy-Fire on herself(120 points protection 2 hours)
Closer still she uses Remove Fear on Aurelio,Gerard and Euphemia(+4 saves vs. fear 10 minutes)
She also wards herself,Euphemia/frank,Daniel and Aurelio with the following protections
Resist Energy-Communal(cold) 10 minutes 10 points
Resist Energy-Communal(Fire) 10 minutes 10 points
Andrea also casts Aid on herself (+1 hit/Saves vs. fear)
I have silversheen and oils of Bless Weapon available! We will need them when we face infernal foes!
As you get closer the scene is even more chaotic as people are running screaming about an invasion from Hell. "There are brave sous fighting the devils, but all looks lost."
Moar bad stuff wuz happening! Bob heard lots of fighting going on! He heard something about a big statue and lotsa devilz. So he thunk that dat where wuz he had to go.
He knew that dis a big ting, his bozz said dat da big army wus coming. Bob knew hadda do somethink.
Bob had been getten better since dat time in da forest. He bashed people around! He got tough! He lifted rocks!
He needed idea though, he knew dat da thiefs were a suspic..suspi.suspi.. A buncha scardy catz who were afraid da dark! Bob needed idea to make dem all scared of him! Need idea.
Squeak!
Bob looked down and saw a rat scurying along da gutter...and he suddenly knew...He must become..da rat!
Daniel hastens the groups horses along.
Remember everyone when we get there, the battle is false. We need to get to the eyes. Chammerday do you and your consort have a means to fly? Azreal can carry 2 people at once and his flight cannot be dispelled, Em can carry 2 or 3 with her hair. Make sure you stay within 20feet of the Angel and his Aura will negate low level magic. Em, take me and Aurulio first so we can secure the entrance while Azreal brings up Andrea and Gerard.
I can ferry myself up with the elemental as needed for speed
As the group approaches they can see that Aroden's state is already crying tears of oils that suddenly are ablaze. There is raging battle going on in the plaza.
Chammedy responds to Daniel, "I'm going in the door that I know of." With that she kicks her horse and the skirt the edge of the battle.
Daniel's heart falls as he see the oils already ablaze. He continues his horse forward, No plan survives contact with the enemy it seems. Fellows, it is up to you, do we try the eyes and bypass the lower levels or clear from the floor up? Decide quickly.
Map as the Heroes ride into the Plaza
*Note that I did not put all the enemies on the map assume there are more and they are fighting around the back and sides.
Yellow haloed are bearded devils
Red haloed are the hellcats
flying wings are eryines
I didn't but lemure or imps on the map - yet
Hellknights are John's old token
The other non-haloed characters are COC troops.
Daniel surveys the mass battle in front of them. Remember, the battle is a farce. We need to get to the Door, Chammerday, point the door out. All efforts to get to the door.
Azreal sees the devils and the fallen angels. But despite his own lust for divine vengeance holds.
His role was to keep everyone alive.
He drops lower so that his gathered allies fall within the range.
Simply willing the magic to happen.Gather close I will ward you all from the devils!
Let us skirt the battle with Chammedy.
Perception checks:
Through the chaos of the staged battle that has many facet happening, The Hound, Andrea, and Gerard observe an ominous large figure wielding a greatsword while riding a skeletal stead. They sniff the air and stare straight towards you.
------
Andrea, Hound, Gerard, Auerlio and Phem hear a booming voice over the thunderous battle. "Azreal you are challenged to battle..."
Those that heard the booming voice know it did not come from the creature riding the stead. This voice has not been seen.
[b]The speaker is not the figure on the horse! it is not in sight.[/n]