Caladius brings his broadsword around in another flashing arc, once more cutting deeply into the side of the lemure before him.
"I need a way to damage them," 'Tybain' says, slitting his eyes in concentration.
He decides to kick the lemure in the grease anyhow, extending a foot almost experimentally to whack its blobbly flesh.
Ava manages to swallow her sickness for long enough to manage a single wild hammer swing to keep the creature beside her at bay.
"I need a way to damage them," 'Tybain' says, slitting his eyes in concentration. He decides to kick the lemure in the grease anyhow, extending a foot almost experimentally to whack its blobbly flesh. The blows, while powerful and would damage a regular being, are shrugged off by the evil devils without much effect.
Ava manages to swallow her sickness for long enough to manage a single wild hammer swing to keep the creature beside her at bay.
Corneleous strikes out with his staff, but is unable to penetrate the Lemures defenses.
With a flourish of his robes, Sabinus takes a five foot step diagonally to the SW. He continues to cackle to maintain the active misfortune hex, continuing to somewhat obscure it with Varisian song. He directs a new misfortune hex at the newly appeared lemure6 near Enko, catching it solidly.
Caladius brings his broadsword around in another flashing arc, once more cutting deeply into the side of the lemure before him, cutting it down completely in a splash of darkly colored blood.
The Carpenter stands tall, executioner's hood and illusion magic making him look quite awe inspiring as he holds them at bay with his lash, striking the wounded lemure down with an echoing whiplash that almost sounds like a hammer blow... and the whip-strike smashes the lemure into oblivion.
Lemure1 is dead.
Lemure2 is dead.
Lemure3 takes a moment to decide to attack Lucon or Ava, but vengence wins out as it tries to hit the man who cut down his fellow lemure. Its claws scrape futily against the mans stout armor, not penetrating.
Lemure4 is dead.
Lemure5 stands in the grease and attacks Enko, barely getting through his guard to cut shallowly into his shoulder.
Lemure6 - Yet another lemure rises from a pile of vomit, this one gazing hungrily at Enko.
Thankfully, no more Lemures appear, their numbers matching yours -at least before you started destroying some of them. The crowd is in a virtual frenzy, cheering as each blow is traded back and forth. They cry out your names as Dentris and Drovalid dispatch several demonic foes, full of that frenzied excitement. Calseinica remains huddled in the corner, too scared to move, just screaming now and again when a Lemure happens to look her direction.
**MAP - Nightshade Theater Stage**
- Enko
- Ava
- Corneleous
- Sabinus
- Caladius
- Lucon
- Lemure1 - dead
- Lemure2 - dead
- Lemure3
- Lemure4 - dead
- Lemure5
- Lemure6
"Watch my back, Dentris." Lucon growls to the Tiefling, as he clambers over the fallen lemure to rescue Tybain, taking a swing at Lemure 5.
... and finding his mark!
...
Lemure6 skirts south and comes up behind Enko, flanking but failing to land a claw on the now injured man.
...
Enko does a twirling leap over Lemure6, landing behind it, and kicks backwards to knock its flabby limbs out from under it. "By Aroden's Light! Such ungrateful children, Larazod. It is well that Drovalid and Dentris give them a proper spanking," says the 'paladin'.
Ava takes advantage of the creature's distraction, hefting her hammer up and swinging it at the devil with a long, arcing blow.
Caladius, avoiding the greased floor, maneauvers around one of the remaining lemures, trapping it between himself and one of his companions. With a grunt, he brings his massive blade to bear once more.
Enko does an impressive twirling leap over Lemure6, landing behind it, and kicks backwards to knock its flabby limbs out from under it. "By Aroden's Light! Such ungrateful children, Larazod. It is well that Drovalid and Dentris give them a proper spanking," says the 'paladin'.
Ava takes advantage of the creature's distraction, hefting her hammer up and swinging it at the devil with a long, arcing blow. The hammer, swung with special precicion and power from the rogue, slams into the creatures spinal region, demolishing the bones there and virtually folding the creature in half. It goes down in a boneless heap, destroyed.
Corneleous unleashes a blast from a wand of magic missile into Lemure5, damaging the creature somewhat.
Sabinus continues to sing and sway his robes about, louder and more dramatically, as he is caught in the frenzy of the surreal battle. He takes a five foot step to the SW, to better protect Calseinica from any Lemures that might head her way, sending her a reassuring glance as he does so. He cackles to maintain the active misfortune hex, and he directs a new misfortune hex at Lemure5.
Caladius, avoiding the greased floor, maneauvers around one of the remaining lemures, putting it between himself and one of his companions -but none close enough to flank yet. With a grunt, he brings his massive blade to bear once more, the powerful swipe sailing past the desprately dodging Lemure5.
"Watch my back." Lucon growls to his team, as he clambers over the fallen lemure to rescue Tybain, moving into the flanking position provided by Caladius and taking a swing at Lemure5. The silvered hammer cuts through the Lemure's defenses and smashes into it's head, clearly staggering the bruised monster.
Lemure1 is dead.
Lemure2 is dead.
Lemure3 is dead
Lemure4 is dead.
Lemure5, barely standing, bites futility at Lucon, not penetrating his defenses.
Lemure6 stands and bites at Enko, but the monk easily avoids the attack.
Calseinica nods her thanks at Sabinus, but remains unmoving. The audience, sensing the end is near, cheer you all on, starting to chant,
**MAP - Nightshade Theater Stage**
- Enko
- Ava
- Corneleous
- Sabinus
- Caladius
- Lucon
- Lemure1 - dead
- Lemure2 - dead
- Lemure3 - dead
- Lemure4 - dead
- Lemure5
- Lemure6
Caladius steps to the nearest quivering lemure and brings his sword sweeping around in a low, horizontal arc.
Enko bonks the Lemure ineffectually. Oh wait! Not ineffectually. The Lemure is now flat footed.
Enko pummels the standing Lemure to no real effect.
"Did I catch a flash of silver?" he calls to Ava, raising an eyebrow. He sighs at the unused silver blanch in his pack and awaits the lemure's reprisal, ready to dodge any blows.
...
Enko gets in an attack at Lemure6 rises, bonking it and hampering it's defenses for the next few seconds, but causing no other damage.
...
Still facing off against Lemure6, Enko pummels the creature to no real effect. "Did I catch a flash of silver?" he calls to Ava, raising an eyebrow. He sighs at the unused silver blanch in his pack and awaits the lemure's reprisal, ready to dodge any blows.
Ava moves to the west of Lemure5 and attacks, her silvered hammer finishing the staggared lemure off.
Corneleous once again unleashes a blast from the wand, this time at the lone Lemure6, the missile making a curious 'pew-pew' sound in the ruckus of the theater.
As he senses the battle coming to an end, Sabinus begins to calm down a bit. Singing more quietly and moving less dramaticaly, Sabinus takes a 5 foot step south, continues to cackle, and uses the sleep hex against Lemure6, who is attacking Enko. It starts to resist the hex, but then succumbs and slumps down to the ground, asleep.
In true theatrical fashion, the others gather around and pummel and slice and dice the sleeping lemure back into the underworld. The crows roars with approval and delight, calling for more blood even as the curtains close. The strong voice of the diva rings out over the crowd, calming and soothing them back to restfullness as you hurriedly prepare for the next Act.
HAANDERTHAN
(Aside) How can this be? Four trials broken, and still they
prevail. Asmodeus smiles upon them. Does the Dark Lord
truly know of my compact with the Abyss? It cannot be, or
I am utterly undone. True or nay, I must try the last. I shall
plunge their faith in pitch and acrid stew, and see if they
hold to the cause.
(To the companions) You sickly whelps profess undying
devotion to one another. Another smoldering lie flung from
your dark holes. You but conspire to confound this court and
our Dark Majesty. ’Tis ye who contract with demon-spawn
and seek my undoing, in service to some slimy mistress or
master of the putrid Abyss. Your vile benefactors have thus
far warded off justice’s dark hand, but let us see if you hold
steadfast before the promise of oblivion.
DENTRIS
More? I cannot last. My old heart gives out. Go on
without me, master. I served your father faithfully. Alas,
I am found lacking in the face of his half-breed son.
The challenges, ever dire, cleave my soul from me. May
Asmodeus keep me.
LARAZOD
No foolish talk, old wizard. Haven’t you claimed immortality
a thousand times to any bent ear? Old Dentris Maltrada
cannot die, ye said. I’ve eaten the heart of an ancient Red
Wyrm, and warmed by his fire, my soul burns eternal. Get
up, my dear friend, more father to me, than ever any father
was. Your duties are not abated. Your task is yet undone.
TYBAIN
Let him die. He’s suffered long enough, and we’ve suffered
his blustery speeches even more keenly. Kick off, old bag,
and be done with ye.
DENTRIS
Why you shiny beetle! You quivering pall-o-dine of a
young whelp-turned-demigod! You plump kettle! I’ll
bring the all-encompassing powers of a thousand worlds
crashing down upon your head! The keening song of
dead gods warble at my command. I’ll leave your mind
a tatterdemalion of a sad rag. Die! Die, you say! Nay, not
till I’ve seen the last oafish breath squeezed from your
lungs by tongs of fire—you simpering Aro-din-din!
TYBAIN
Looking more lively now, aren’t we?
LARAZOD
Peace, old man. The pall-o-dine works a righteous healing
upon your old bones—applying the only balm your
withered heart desires—spitting ire and uncouth rage.
Bile for balm, bile for balm—what a wolfish old man, a
terror to kings and angels. Ladies and gentlemen, I give
you Dentris Maltrada. He knows no equal.
DENTRIS
Enough, pup! I am much abused. Lay not your hands
on me, pall-o-dine! I’ll rise without your young god’s
urgings. I’ve work left indeed.
ILSANDRA
Strange old wizard, loyal and dear heart. He’ll join us in
the marriage bed and one last night of bliss will be his for
the taking!
LARAZOD
A lovely sentiment, my princess of Hell, disturbing though
it may be.
DROVALID
Enough. It is time. I am not long of your company, but
know that I would stand by you all through six hundred
trials. Take hands with me, half-breed. My sins and yours
are one. Our destinies intertwine, and I walk your path
with you to the bitter burning end.
LARAZOD
I’m honored.
HAANDERTHAN
How touching. These sentiments of yours are nothing
but dreamy clouds, soon to be shred by Asmodeus’s
blasting winds.
LARAZOD
Face of hazy dream-like bliss, kiss like fire. I burn for you,
princess. Cling to me, dig your talons into my chest and
touch my heart with white-hot caress.
ILSANDRA
I am yours for one thousand blissful years. Drink my
sizzling blood from my wrist, or anywhere else you like—
let us seal this sinful compact and consummate our love
in the heat of battle.
TYBAIN
Dentris, you old cur, dog curled by your master’s feet. I
can’t call you friend, but a truer servant I’ve never known.
Loyalty is the mark of greatness. Know that my sword is
yours even as your spells bend to Larazod’s cause. We stand
as one, and we always shall.
ILSANDRA
Great Tormentor, Drovalid Vorclune, let it be said a man
who can bear the vicious ministrations he renders upon
his foes is a great man indeed. Though I am pledged to
this young half-breed, know your courage sends shudders
through my loins.
DROVALID
You do me sweet honor, great lady. I stand in awe of
your passion, and these worthy nobles’ unshakable
courage. Even this milksop of a pall-o-dine stands
hard against the torments of Hell—harder than
the fiercest witch.
The companions fight off a legion of devils.
As this act ends, the curtains along the back portion of the stage part to reveal a second stage beyond, decorated as a swampy, dreary hellscape. Waiting within are two troll skeletons, when you notice each other, the empty sockets of both undead seem to fixate on Larazod (Corneleous) and the trolls ready themselves for battle. The crowd murmurs in fear and awe, and noblewomen faint left and right, their lovers and husbands too engrossed in the impending battle to pay them any mind.
**MAP - Nightshade Theater Stage**
- Enko
- Caladius
- Ava
- Corneleous
- Lucon
- Sabinus
- Troll1
- Troll2
"Enough. It is time. I am not long of your company, but know that I would stand by you all through six hundred trials!" Lucon bellows. He performs his lines well, but his voice is hoarse from the combat and his weariness clear on his face, and the fierce torturer cannot help but blush as Ilsandra's bawdy comment.
___
"Wh... Where did Robahl..." he murmurs as he faces down the monstrous undead. "Shelyn save me from the madness of the theatre."
As the "devils" begin to move, Lucon rushes to protect Cornelius.
He spares one more panicked look at the Viscount. "Milord if you know how to fight these buggers now would be the time!" he shouts, irreverently.
As the curtains fall, Ava turns to Enko. "It is. 'Forged in the fires of Highhelm and blessed a dozen times over by the High Priests of Torag.' At least that's what the sale's pitch was." she says, stifling a chuckle.
"I had bought it some years ago in the case I ever ran afoul of devil-binders. Hoped I'd never need to use it, but I'd been told holy silver is so fearsome to fiends that they'd flee screaming into the night at the sight of it... In retrospect probably a bit of an exaggeration."
"They're after the lad!" Monris says. "Keep 'em occupied a moment and I'll swing behind the beasts. Let 'em come to you!"
Ava leaps forward between the two creatures, vanishing into a column of billowing fog as she tosses a smoke pellet to the ground.
He pulls a face as he recalls the taste of Lemure, clutching his stomach with a queasy grimace. "groaaaaan...shouldn't have eaten that tart..."
Failing to really emote during his lines, but at least remembering them and not botching any, Caladius frowns deeply as the curtain rises and a pair of undead monstrosities are revealed.
Sharing what he knows of the weaknesses and strengths of skeletons quietly with the group, he draws his heavy flail and rushes in before either creature has a chance to act.
Enko appears at Sabinus' side. "Sabinus, would you be able to spare a tap of your curative wand? The lemure dealt me a hurt I'd not care to carry into the next acts."
"Oh dear," says 'Tybain', not seeming very pall-o-dinish. He takes his usual defensive stance, draws out his sling, and whirls a stone at the leftmost troll.
|
Aye, those are the least of the hordes of hell. You must have missed me summon one. They are not powerful, not wise, nor are they particularly useful- but they do serve when they are called. Do not fear them; fear becoming them. They cannot steal your souls- they souls who lost themselves to hell.
Undead- of the large sort. I doubt that these piles of bones inherit the troll's immunities. Smash them.
"Oh dear," says 'Tybain', not seeming very pall-o-dinish. He takes his usual defensive stance, draws out his sling, and whirls a stone at the leftmost troll, it bounces harmlessly off it's thick sternum.
Failing to really emote during his lines, but at least remembering them and not botching any, Caladius frowns deeply as the curtain rises and a pair of undead monstrosities are revealed. Sharing what he knows of the weaknesses and strengths of skeletons quietly with the group, he draws his heavy flail and rushes in before either creature has a chance to act. His flail smashes several ribs from the undead creature, weakening the entegrity of the beast drastically.
"They're after the lad!" Monris says. "Keep 'em occupied a moment and I'll swing behind the beasts. Let 'em come to you!" Ava leaps forward between the two creatures, vanishing into a column of billowing fog as she tosses a smoke pellet to the ground.
"Undead- of the large sort. I doubt that these piles of bones inherit the troll's immunities. Smash them." and unleashes an acid dart of his own, but it flies wide of the undead troll.
Moving one square to the left and one upward, raising his shield and cocking his hammer arm to bash at any creature that gets near enough to strike.
Sabinus moves North a few feet. He then uses the misfortune hex on the approaching undead troll directly to the west. It fails to shake off the effects and is successfully hexed.
The first undead troll strides forward, quickly crossing the 25' it needs to to get to Corneleous. It steps uncaring up to Lucon, who unleasesh a crack to it's hip with the butt of his weapon. It scarcely notices as it opens it's huge jaws and clamps down onto Corneleous's torso, shaking him around a bit then dropping him to fall limply to the ground.
Troll2, seeing 'Larazod' down, back northward to be able to hit Caladius, biting down at him with it's superior reach, but misses.
**MAP - Nightshade Theater Stage**
- Enko
- Caladius
- Ava
- Corneleous
- Sabinus
- Lucon
- Troll1
- Troll2
Caladius puts his flail to work with practiced skill.
......
Caladius does not waste the chance given him by the huge undead troll. As it backs away to bring it's teeth to bear, he swings the flail with terrific force, smashing down through it's shoulder, disintegrating it's spine, and by the time the swing ends, the troll falls in a large-boned heap onto the stage.
......
"Larazod! You shall pay, fiend!"
Tybain moves closer to the troll to get a clean shot...but not too close...and fires his sling.
Ava bursts from the smoke, tumbling into the troll's blind spot before taking a massive swing with her warhammer at the creature's back.
"Drovalid! End tha' beastie now!"
Alarmed with the creature's reach and speed, the torturer shouts out in alarm, redoubling his assault and hoping to fell the creature before it does any more harm, staring fixedly away from his fallen friend as if afraid of what he might see. "I'll draw it's next attack! Hit it hard!"
Lucon takes Total Defense (AC 28) and moves two squares upward, placing himself firmly between the troll and Calseinicia.
"Larazod! You shall pay, fiend!" Tybain moves closer to the troll to get a clean shot...but not too close...and fires his sling, the heavy stone striking solidly and sending bone-chips flying.
Cornelous quietly does his best to coat the floor in blood, Calseinica scooting back from the spreading red puddle, horrified and utterly speachless.
Sabinus, who was prepping to begin a whirling dance and song, becomes deadly serious, cackling to maintain the existing misfortune -- with no attempt at disguising it. He casts stabilize on Corneleous, the flow of blood immediately ceasing to pour from the wounded man.
The others pause while Lucon draws the attack from the large troll while Lucon takes assumes a defensive posture and moves northeast and then northwest to place himself firmly between the troll and Calseinicia. When Lucon's first move puts him at the trolls reach, it snaps down at him with massive and bloodied jaws. But Lucon is able to thrust his weapon in the trolls face, diverting the snapping attack to one side.
Seizing his opportunity, Caladius puts his flail to work with practiced skill, stepping to the remaining skeletroll and smashing completely through one leg. It topples part-way onto its side, near it's end.
Ava bursts from the smoke, tumbling into the troll's blind spot before taking a massive swing with her warhammer at the creature's back. "Endin' tha'beastie now!" 'Moonris' shouts, and smashes the undead troll to the ground.
The crowd, all but ignored during the intense battle, has been going wild with cheering and shouts and screams, especially when the heroic Larazod went down under the beasts jaws. Now they start to applaud with unfettered abandon, cheering you on even as the curtain closes, Larazods fate a mystery as the curtain blocks their view.
HAANDERTHAN
The final trial is at hand. Your souls shall be
quenched at long last.
LARAZOD
This trial is yours, Magistrate Maleficarum.
Asmodeus is the only true judge here. Bow
before him.
HAANDERTHAN
Insolent dog! Asmodeus shall scour your soul
as sauce from a pan. Ash for bones, and waxen
souls melted by the dark lord’s flame to puddle
at his taloned feet.
LARAZOD
We shall see who is judged!
THE PRINCE OF DARKNESS descends in a burst
of foul colored flames and shrieking, crimson
skinned imps and offers Larazod a choice.
His devils hang silk scarves around all the
companions’ necks—one of red, one of crimson.
Each is handed a contract written in blood,
which bursts into flames when read.
(Robahl plays the part of Asmodeus
himself in a shockingly realistic costume enhanced by
illusion magic. He drinks a potion of levitate and applies oil
of faerie fire to limn his body in red flames, then steps off
the upper catwalk to float down to the stage below for his
grand entrance.)
PRINCE OF DARKNESS
Larazod and his companions choose the crimson scarves
and the red ones burn away. Haanderthan cries out in
terror as the Prince of Darkness turns on him.
PRINCE OF DARKNESS
Prince of Darkness carries Haanderthan into the mouth
of Hell. Haanderthan's screams of terror and pain already
fill the entire theater. Exeunt.
As Haanderthan is dragged away to Hell, the curtains drop and the house erupts into an explosion of applause. As the curtains rise again and each of you and other actors come out to bow, the crowd goes even wilder. None remain in their seat, even those who arrived in wheelchars join in the standing ovation. Men and woman are openly weeping, and both sexes are shouting promises of shocking acts to any actor who can hear. A shower of objects hurls onto the stage—brooches, chains, coins, gems, and other pieces of jewelry - all of which is quickly swept up by waiting stagehands into rapidly filling sacks. Robahl, Calseinica, Millech, a cluster of stagehands, and even Delour rush onto the stage and hold you each aloft, carrying and leading them through the streets -crowded with adoring and groping townspeople- back to the Limehouse, where they are cheered as heroes. A local bard composes a heroic song, “The Sixfold Survivors,” which quickly spreads to street corners and is heard being whistled throughout the city. You all and Robahl are the talk of the town. Thesing, and partly Delour, both of whom had hoped for more bloodshed and certainly hate to share attention, avoid the celebrations and slink off to sulk, not seen by any for the next several days.
But more immediately after the success of the performance, the exhausted actors wait for the rest of the crew to clean up and return to the Limehouse (although a frustrated Thesing storms off into the night after a short argument with Robahl in which he gives up his share, saying that the production was a farce and he wants nothing more to do with it)—during this time, stagehands gather the take (both from the box office and the gifts thrown onstage) and see to the payment of the house. What remains is gathered in a velvet-lined coffer and presented to Robahl. The actors and crew aren’t too tired to split the take, and the appropriate percentages are given to each PC as payment for a job well done. This payment comes to 750gp for each of you. In addition, Robahl is so pleased with the performance that he gives each one of you a bonus of 500 gp in the form of choice gems and bits of jewelry.
Robahl, aglow in his success and the amount taken in by the production, steps forward, clearing his throat to quiet the celebrating now-richer cast and crew, "It's been a harrowing journey, for all of us, but I would be remiss if I did not thank you for your hardwork. I, uhh, I've had a change of heart and no longer wish to produce this particular work. Some of you even did well enough that I may not retch at the thought of working together in the future. Graci and until next time. Break a leg!"
Delour and Calseinica thank the PCs for their performances—Delour somewhat less enthusiastically than Calseinica. But Delour does grab Enko and kisses him passionately and dramatically before then entire crowded room, "Farewell sweeting, we shall meet again." and sways from the room, servants carrying her bags after her. Calseinica hugs each of you, bestowing heartfelt praise and expressing gratitude for all you'd done. When she gets to hug Corneleous, she lingers there for quite a while, kissing his cheeck softly and whispering in his ear before moving on and then leaving the room. Millech also makes the rounds, hand outstreched to each of you, "Well done each of you, you've made me quite rich!" he leans in conspiritorially, "I placed a dozen bets on you all surviving, enough to make my take look like nothing. Glad you all made it!" He cackles loudly to himself and hobbles out of the room.
Lucon tears off his hood as soon as the curtain is drawn, rushing to Cornelius' side, his stocky figure looming over him and largely getting in the way. "He... he isn't dead, is he?" he says, meekly.
No, he's alive. I cast a spell to stop the bleeding.
Sabinus will cure Corneleous to full or close to full or close to full with multiple castings of his wand.
Sabinus will allow himself to be carried away in the festivities and the unusual sensation of adoration.
Enko wonders about the disappearance of "Handerthaan", but is too busy dodging the Visbaronetess, and desperately search for any sign of Mathalen, to speculate further.
"Our friend does not seem very happy." he says, waving off the fuming Thesing. He grins with satisfaction before sinking into a chair and burying his face into his hands. "It's... really over." he says weakly. "I should find Rebecca."
---
Ava drinks in the wild cheers and applause as the curtain falls, absolutely exhilarated by it. The brutality, the realism, the raw emotion of it... It was a thrill. This was something she could get used to, and she's somewhat saddened to see it end.
"Do you think so?" Ava says, her eyes following Thesing as he leaves. She settles down next to Lucon, patting him on the back. "Yes, it's really over." There's a twinge of disappointment in her voice as she leans back in her chair. "In some strange way it was... ah, I don't think I could call it fun. It was a torture, for sure, but I guess you could say I savored the challenge." she pauses, mulling over her choice of words. "Running that gauntlet and coming out the other side in one piece... Well, it's satisfying, to say the least. Don't you think so?"
In the guise of Marina, she heartily participates in the celebrations, making sure not to get too inebriated. She gladly speaks to the bards and other thespians, participating in post-production interviews and parties, really trying to cement the name of 'Lady Marina' as a personality in the eyes of the public. Grand tales are told, laughs are had, and all are merry as she propagates the fictional life of this ostentatious young noblewoman.
|
|
The Viscount goes from white to red as Sabinus brings him from the brink.
He accepts healing enough to get him walking around, but rather enjoys showing off his raw wounds (for the moment) to the crowd. He asks that you save the full healing for a bit.
To Calseinica: when she hugs him, he deftly dips her in his arms, kissing her passionately. After the kiss, he lets her fall (slowly) the ground and walks on as if nothing had happened.
To his friends I thank you for saving my soft hide. It may only be the lack of blood or oxygen to my brain, but I surely heard devils fighting for my soul. Pharasma herself was there blocking them- and Nethys began to whisper secrets of the art to me... Alas, now awake and whole I cannot remember the words...
Perception
Sense motive +2 if dealing with devils
which cure is the wand?
Lucon smiles weakly in answer to Ava's question. "Give me the quiet life any day." he grumbles. "I will die happy if I never have to see a play again..." He fumbles in his rucksack and pulls out the remains of a fruit tart, only slightly squashed. "The last bite is always the sweetest." he says, breaking it in half and staining his fingers a plum-coloured red. "I was saving it for if we made it out." he says, thrusting the morsel toward Ava, and before she can so much as object launching into the practiced tones of an insistent host. "Go on, don't fuss, have a bite. 's quite good."
Lucon shivers as Corneleus speaks of the other side. He pulls a small silver holy symbol out of his pack and makes a warding gesture, muttering a few half-remembered prayers to ward off devils and bad luck. "I..." he begins, trailing off into a frown. "I'm just glad you're alive, m'lord."
Ava takes the morsel with a shrug, staring down at it for a moment before taking a very unladylike bite. "mm, you're... chomp ...right. mm. s'good." She says, chewing thoughtfully. "Did Bec make this?"
Ava regards the Viscount's words with a blank expression, nodding slowly. "A lesser man we'd be burying now. Seems you're made of tougher stuff." She shoots him a wide grin, teeth still stained red.