Takuma steps past Ursus and charges the nearest unsorcelled cultist. His blade cuts deep into the ill-prepared man, his blood spilling over the dark stone floor.
Garra slips past the others and darts around the long hallway, trying to appear behind Takuma's opponent. He strikes at the acolyte, but is unable to penetrate the Vudrani's magical defenses.
Daxter steps out and attempts to intimidate the nearest active cultist. The man nearly jumps out of his skin when he sees the wizard.
Two of the enthralled cultists seem to snap out of their enjoyment of Monte's voice as the heavily armed semi-orc thunders past them.
Suddenly, out of the darkness, five more acolytes jump out of the darkness. They seem to ignore those at the far side of the room, focusing all of their attention on Takuma and Garra.
The wounded acolyte steps into a flank with one of the newly appeared ones, but is unable to connect with the unnaturally fast eagle.
The ones ganging up on Takuma are able to land a few blows against the samurai, but do no serious damage.
Remaining initiative:
Ursus - Delay
Adjo - Delay
Farouq: (1) + 4 = 5
Fascinated Darkness Acolytes: 4
Montesquieu: (1) + 1 = 2
Seeing his semi-orc companion in peril Ursus rushes across the hall transforming along the way.
He brandishes the claws on his meaty hands/paws and issues a challenge."Fight me cowards" he roars.
The monks are unable to withstand the barbarian's mighty attack as he manages to tear fabric, skin, and muscle.
His body a single, coil of tension, Adjo waits for Farouq's command before leaping into battle.
The one remaining Darkness Acolyte entrances by Monte's voice smiles happily to himself.
Montesquieu puts a suggestion in the cultist still entranced by his words. "Your allies will fail, I suggest you join our side." He says with a slight smile. The cultist doesn't buy it.
Takuma's extreme discipline allows his to stay calm even while being surrounded by so many enemies. He turns to the weakest among them and brings his culling blade to bear. With two short cuts to the torso, the Acolyte drops to the floor, bleeding profusely. He wasn't even wearing armor, although he did seem to be protected by some kind of magical barrier.
Remaining Initiative:
Summoned Young Giant Eagle
Garra
Daxter
Hermes
Darkness Acolyte
Ursus
Farouq
Adjo
Formerly-fascinated Darkness Acolytes
Montesquieu
The monks readjust slightly to all the attacks, shifting their positions slightly. They pummel Takuma with numerous blows, bruising the half-orc in the process.
Initiative Remaining:
Ursus
Farouq
Adjo
Formerly-fascinated Darkness Acolytes
Montesquieu
Ursus' strong attacks bring down the monk next to him in two blows. Without missing a beat, he steps over the bleeding body and bites a nearby Acolyte.
Remaining initiative:
Farouq
Adjo
Formerly-fascinated Darkness Acolytes
Montesquieu
Farouq finishes his summoning spell and a dog-sized air elemental appears behind one of the monks. He then moves through the hall, drawing his mighty earthbreaker in the process.
Adjo focuses his claw/claw/bitey attention on the monk before him.
The bewitched monk continues being entranced by the half-orc's mellifluous voice.
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Montesquieu not deterred by his set back tries another Suggestion. After which he 5 foot steps into AB42 as he starts inspiring courage in his allies. He starts with a story about Taldan soldiers valiantly defeating some Qadiran dervishes during the a glorius battle.
"Second verse same as the first! I suggest you join us as your allies fail."
Standard - Suggestion
Will Save DC 20(22)
Move - Inspire Courage +2 at/+2 damage
The monk seems unphased by the bard's suggestion.
INITIATIVE:
Takuma
Aquila
Summoned Young Giant Eagle
Garra
Daxter
Hermes
Darkness Acolyte
Ursus
Farouq
Adjo
Formerly-fascinated Darkness Acolytes
Montesquieu
Takuma hefts his shining sword overhead in a classic two-handed offensive stance. Shouting, he brings it down on the nearest cultists with deadly force. "Hasan!" "Chop!"
Takuma's two blows connect cleanly with the already damaged monk, who is decapitated by the second katana cut.
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Daxter gathers up some courage and hate from seeing the shape his familiar is in, walks up to Z45 and ready for the flank. Daxter will mentally encourage his familiar to fight through the pain to help the party. Hermes, will reluctantly fly into the square in X45 to give the flank to his wizard. He will also hurl his little frame into the monk, fighting through the pain. When the Aeon moves into position, Daxter will stab at the cultist.
damage
damage
The Acolyte nearest the summoned eagle unleashes a flurry of blows, two of which connect with a dull thump on the bird's body. It disappears with a tinkle and the smell of lamb curry. The monk nearest Takuma tries to fight through the half-orc's armor, but is unsuccessful.
Ursus violently shakes his ursine head sending bloody slaver everywhere. He turns to the last nearby cultist and tears him apart with his fury and claws. The first catches the man's carotid artery, and is torn free, showering Ursus, Takuma, Aquila, and Adjo in a warm fountain of salty life. He moves on to the other monk, but is unable to drag him down.
REMAINING INITIATIVE:
Farouq
Adjo
Formerly-fascinated Darkness Acolytes
Montesquieu
Farouq's elemental tries to slap its unstable body into the one of the last two monks, but his attack goes wide.
Farouq steps up from behind the pillar and drives his huge earthbreaker into the skull of the Vudrani, cracking it like a rotten egg.
The last remaining monk seems unaware of his position. He attacks Hermes, and is able to land a solid kick.
REMAINING INITIATIVE:
Monte
Adjo tears into the remaining monk, turning him into a heap of warm body parts.
COMBAT IS OVER
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As that cultist wakes from his unconscious state, Daxter will touch him on the shoulder and ask him,"Where are your leaders? Please take us to them. And if you would be as so kind to point out any traps so we can avoid them, it would be appreciated, friend."
Beguiling Touch(As Charm Monster)
Will Save DC 24
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As the final foe is dropped Ursus's fury fades and his fur melts away. He retrieves his healing wand and sees to Takuma's wounds.
Afterward he takes the samurai's ioun stone and his own and offers them to Daxter.
"Nice work there Dax. I didn't think I would ever see you get in there and mix it up", the Ulfen says raising his fists in a shadow-boxing stance with a grin. "Perhaps when this is over you'll let me show some other tricks you can do with that blade".
The big Ulfen retrieves a flask full of the mead from Leckumgee. He takes a long draw, belches loudly, and then offers the container to the wizard. "Have some, I'd say you earned it".
As that cultist wakes from his unconscious state, Daxter will touch him on the shoulder and ask him,"Where are your leaders? Please take us to them. And if you would be as so kind to point out any traps so we can avoid them, it would be appreciated, friend."
Beguiling Touch(As Charm Monster)
Will Save DC 24
The monk looks confused, but speaks to Daxter calmly in Vudrani, "Our leaders are here within the temple complex. Which of our leaders would you like to speak to?
"Are any of my other valiant comrades injured?" He asks his teammates.
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The monk looks confused, but speaks to Daxter calmly in Vudrani, "Our leaders are here within the temple complex. Which of our leaders would you like to speak to?
"Tell us about the blue skinned man first. Who is he?
After the cultist answers that question, Daxter will continue his interrogation.
"Also tell us about the woman who lurks in shadows and the woman who wields a temple sword."
After a pause so the cultist can answer again.
"Also, tell us about any other guardians of this place, please."
"Tell us about the blue skinned man first. Who is he?
A strange look crosses the monk's face, "Blue skin? Oh you mean Master Ikrimah. He represents Dhalavei's aspect of secrets."
After the cultist answers that question, Daxter will continue his interrogation.
"Also tell us about the woman who lurks in shadows and the woman who wields a temple sword."
"Temple sword. You must mean Mistress Zaafira. She is the leader of us all and represents the godess' aspect of destruction. The one in the shadows is Mistress Deepti, she is the aspect of deception."
"Also, tell us about any other guardians of this place, please."
"Guardians? There is the herald of Dhalavei who guards the inner temple, she is a guardian."
"What do you know about your leaders' abilities? Do they have any defenses in place? This herald of Dhavalei, tell us more about her. What can she do? What does she look like?" Daxter keeps asking of the cultist turned informant.
Ikrimah is very mysterious, but we know that he is a powerful arcanist. He can turn you to dust with just a wave of his hand. Deepti is a master of the shadows. If she does not want to be found, she will not be. Zaafira is the direct representative of the goddess. Her will is law and she can cast spells the goddess sends her. The herald is shaped like the goddess, of course."
"Are there any traps that we should look out for? Any hazards that might impede us?."
"Just the ones at the entrance that you already triggered."
"Is there anything else in our way that may impede us from arriving at where your masters are? Anything at all? Even if you think it is insignificant, please let us know."
The monk thinks about this long and hard, and remarks with absolute sincerity, "Your bowls may void themselves in fear. That happened to Sanjeev once."
The monk looks down at the sword with a confused look on his face. He looks up at Daxter, noting "But we were having such a nice conversation about our cult. Don't you want to know anything else?"
The Acolyte looks down at the blade for a long time before trying to catch your eyes. "Now you see how a man who truly embraces life ends it. Death comes for us all." Without another word he picks up the blade and plunges it into his heart. He is dead within seconds.
There are five possible exits from this hallway. Two to the east and west and one to the north.