Arnav shifts his stance for less power and more accuracy. As he does so, he charges his blade with energy.
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Arnav's blows connect this time, further wounding the rotting demon. His crystal blade wounds, but doesn't fell the horror.
Meanwhile , the giant Karin winds up, and Ferissirion begins to glow with a strange golden light. It is unlike anything it has ever done before. A source less choir note seems to hang in the air, as if a squad of cherubs hummed in the background. The blue axe connects, and there is a bright flash and a howl as the giant rotted abberation disintegrates into motes of light. All that is left is a few spots of Ichor staining the floor
Hamar's muscles cease their seizing after a few moments and the barbarian retrieves his dropped weapons, "Well... I did warn him".
"Well that was strange," Karrin says looking at her axe, "I don't think you've ever done that before. If I didn't know any better I'd say you didn't like these demon types Ferissirion, and to be fair the ones we've met have been kinda jerks, but that was the sort of action that would suggest that you're taking this personal."
"That was,.... wow. yeah. That could have been Bad. VERY bad." Justin mutters aloud to himself. Mostly. He either doesn't have a clue what they just faced, or he does, and his mind is still dealing with it.
"Um, yeah, about that. Not that I'm not grateful and all, but what, exactly DID Ferissirion do there?" Justin finally asks Karrin, his professional curiosity overcoming his fear of non-understood undead-demon-things.
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"I don't know, remember when I was telling you about wrestling in the pits? Some of those wrestlers had what they called a finisher. It was the move they used to finish the match, maybe I got a finisher now? I guess what we need to figure out now is my in ring name, I'm leaning towards Crusher Kind or Killer Kind but I'm willing to throw it open to suggestions, Although I am not going to wear a mask or use any of those cheap gimmicks like "Oh, she's an escaped mental patient" or "She was a philosopher mathematician pondering the very nature of the infinite and it drove her insane", so no names involving those tied old troops, but anything with Killer or Crusher or Cruel in the name would be great. You know you have to have a seriously badass name to be a wrestler and stuff. I think I'm going to call my finisher the "Kind of Impressive" and I'll probably need to do it from the top ropes if anyone was wondering.
"But seriously Justin we need to stop talking about my future career as wrestling champion of Sigil and get onto more pressing matters, namely figuring out what's going on here in this fortress, so I'd appreciate you not constantly bugging me about wrestling for the time being, I mean I really do enjoy our talks about it, and I do think it's amusing that a man of knowledge and intellect is constantly thinking about the brawny art of grappling, but we need to think about what this demon was and what it meant when it said that he was the master of this place, and so we'll have to postpone all this wrestling talk till later when we're safely back at the inn. I can show you some more moves like a brain buster or a piledriver."
Arnav will chuckle, remembering the travelling wrestling matches that would come through back home. "The difference is that the wrestlers figured out who would win in advance. We don't get that luxury."
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Hamar breathes heavily from the fatigue of his latest rage, "Give me a moment Wizard and we can head back to the library for a book on whatever this beam is and maybe you can find a book on wrestling while you are there since you seem so interested in it".
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"Wrestling? But I didn't, I'm Not,... I wasn't asking about,..." Justin flusters for a few moments before deflating with a sigh.
"Right. Books on Columns of Light. And Wrestling." He mutters resignedly.
"I'm sure that creepy research room has a book on ONE of those at least. With my luck I know which one it'll be."
The wizard shudders briefly but dramatically as he considers the possibility of Karrin demonstrating a grand number of wrestling moves. On him.
"Have to admit. I KIND of walked into that one. Again."
"The difference is that the wrestlers figured out who would win in advance. We don't get that luxury."
"Wait, are you suggesting wrestling isn't real?" Karrin says with a strait face.
The blue pillar of light has disappeared. The room is now clear except for the numerous masks hanging on the walls.
"Well, at least the pillar of light is no longer a concern." Justin says, clearly unconvinced. The wizard steers clear of stepping anywhere near the floor area where the pillar of light was located.
"Let's finish checking these masks for magical auras. Make certain there are no more Demon-Ghost-Masks hiding among the decorations."
Justin begins holding out his hand towards one wall, his eyes glowing a faint blue as he scans for magical sources.
"I suggest destroying the masks, Justin."
None of the masks detect magic
Justin lowers his hand and blinks until his eyes no longer glow with arcane energy.
"No need in this case Ekuur. They all appear to be just ordinary masks. Although SOME seem to be very fine quality. Anyone know any vendors in Sigil that pay well for items like these?" Justin asks hopefully, visions of an actual, fully-equipped arcane laboratory dancing in his mind's eye.
"I DO wonder why they are here? Obviously not camouflage. Perhaps the one who set all this up has a thing for masks??"
Arnav will look over the masks, "The Clerk's Ward would probably be the best place. The Sensates often hold masked balls and the backstory will only add to the value of the masks."
Justin lowers his hand and blinks until his eyes no longer glow with arcane energy.
"No need in this case Ekuur. They all appear to be just ordinary masks. Although SOME seem to be very fine quality. Anyone know any vendors in Sigil that pay well for items like these?" Justin asks hopefully, visions of an actual, fully-equipped arcane laboratory dancing in his mind's eye.
"The magic is irrelevant. They can be MADE to be later. Much better to destroy and prevent any future use at all."
"I DO wonder why they are here? Obviously not camouflage. Perhaps the one who set all this up has a thing for masks??"
d20+9
The masks span a gamut of styles and cultures. They seem to be made of either painted wood or ceramics. Some are wearable, some purely decorative. What they are worth is hard to gauge
Arnav will look over the masks, "The Clerk's Ward would probably be the best place. The Sensates often hold masked balls and the backstory will only add to the value of the masks."
Justin nods sagely (He's discovered that looking wise to others, and being wise are not the same thing. Guess which he's discovered is easier.)
"I like that idea. Someone might as well get some good use out of these things. Anyone have any idea what these things may actually be worth?"
"The magic is irrelevant. They can be MADE to be later. Much better to destroy and prevent any future use at all."
Yet again, Justin's eyes widen in shock.
"I like that thought a lot less. With that thinking you may as well burn all of your clothes, because they could be enchanted later. Don't forget, the masks could also be enchanted and turned into defensive items. Or even healing items. At least if we sell them to the Sensates, they'll only attack people's eyeballs." Justin says, pointing to a particularly loudly colored mask.
Justin shakes his head, a wan smile on his face. This banter with Ekuur about magical items is old, almost commonplace now. But he still has trouble with the thought of so cavalierly destroying items, magical or otherwise.
Hamar looks at the masks suspiciously with a mix of fear, revulsion, and horror as only a Barbarian can, "Are we sure touching them will not trigger the magics?"
Arnav will start collecting the masks for treasure.
Merle grabs a few of the masks as well.
Justin takes a mask off of the wall and holds it towards Hamar.
"It's OK Hamar. See? No magic here. Just quality workmanship."
Justin looks at the mask he is holding.
"Oh yeah, I like these MUCH better than the flying-haunted-spooky-undead-demon-infested ones!"
The group picks as many masks as they can carry. The room seems empty now, and there doesn't seem to be any other portal than the one they took from the big bell temple room
"Well guess we're going back to the room with my future dinner bell."
Hamar frowns at the masks, "After that ring you told me to put on gave me an.... uncomfortable feeling Wizard, I think I'll keep my hands off of anything from this place until you can more fully study them".
Justin nods, slowly.
"Caution is never a bad idea. Especially in a place like this. Too many things we take for granted could likely kill us in an instant here. Like ringing unidentified, magical, bells!" He yells ahead of him.
"I will not be modeling any of these masks until I have had time to make a more thorough investigation, and make sure they really are harmless as they seem. Just to be sure." He smiles at Hamar.
The group heads back into the bell room. Nothing has changed, and the only portal leads back into the second ghoul room
Justin ushers Karrin along, before she can even start to talk about that blasted bell,...
Justin ushers Karrin along, before she can even start to talk about that blasted bell,...
Karrin happily plays along for now, better to let Justin think that he could stop her if she really wanted to ring the bell. It was probably good for his moral. She does pause before leaving the room though to glance back at the bell:
"I'll be seeing you later Mr Bell," Karrin says, "That's going to be part of my share of the loot."
"Sure. Fine. Great. Once we're all done here, That bell, and anything that comes from ringing it, is ALL YOURS." Justin agrees frantically trying to usher Karrin across the room to the other portal before she can decide that she needs to claim her share of the loot right now.
"With MY luck, it's be the freakin' bell that summons the goose that lays golden eggs." He grumbles as Karrin finally vanishes through the portal.
Justin casts an appraising eye on the iron bell, which seems to soak up the light from around it the longer that Justin stares at it.
"Nope. Not even interested." Justin declares loudly and firmly to those still in this room. "Seriously. Don't even want to know. Really." He says, sounding more desperate than convincing by this point. He steps into the portal still shaking his head.
They return to the gore-slicked room where they met their second set of ghouls. There are six portals spaced around this sphere, two of which they have traversed. One leads to the Temple and the Bell, the other to the first room full of ghouls. That leaves four untried
"Okay, time to try this one," Karrin points to one of the portals at random.
Justin makes a note on his rough sketch map, tucks it back into his bandolier, and nods his readiness to the others.
"Round and round she goes, where she stops? Guess we'll find out." Justin murmurs wryly.
Hamar, as always, steps in first.
Perception
Stealth
Gun reloaded and ready, Blayze follows.
The group steps into yet another hemispherical room. In the center a gigantic horror awaits them.
A colossal skeletal form occupies the room. It seems to have once been a hydra, as seven skeletal necks writhe towards the arriving party. Within the enormous rib cage is a pulsing tangle of purple viscera. Strands of this visceral mass snake through each neck's architecture and end in an elongated barbed tongue/intestine lolling from each skull. Bright blue glowing eyes illuminate the fanged skulls
Justin recovers after crossing the portal.
He takes in the large horror occupying the room, his head slowly raising upwards to take it all in.
He glares at 'completely random' Karrin.
He does NOT say 'You did that on purpose', or similar.
He DOES say, "Well, this is another fine mess you've gotten us into!"
Initiative
Initiatives (Hydra Horror Fight) Initiative base 6
Hamar: 19
Hydra Horror: 18
Merle: 14
Arnav: 11
Justin: 11
Naridre: 9
Karrin: 9
Blayze: 9
Ekuur: 6
The undead reptilian beast makes a howling banshee noise and its necks lash out
Merle casts haste on the group
Karrin, still fun sized, charges into the horror, hoping to maintain some distance between it and her casters.
"What?" Karrin says to Justin as she charges in, "You'd prefer to have run into this at the end of the day?"
Justin starts casting, his motions speeding up as Merle's spell kicks in and everyone begins moving faster. Seeing Hamar and Arnav already charging forward, he picks his aim carefully.
"Time to start this party off with a bang! Fuego! Maximus!"
"What?" Karrin says to Justin as she charges in, "You'd prefer to have run into this at the end of the day?"
"No. I'd prefer to have skipped THIS room completely!" Justin retorts to Karrin's back, as her giant-sized legs and magically enhanced speed propel her far past the wizard before her question was finished.
Justin eyes scan the huge, undead(?) horrific hydra, trying to identify a weakness. ANY weakness. And quickly.
"No. I'd prefer to have skipped THIS room completely!" Justin retorts to Karrin's back, as her giant-sized legs and magically enhanced speed propel her far past the wizard before her question was finished.
"Right, "let's not explore this last room as we've got enough treasure already," said no adventuring group ever."