Xerath will charge toward the massive spider, judgement in hand.
Round 2?, Init 22
Appario smites and spring attacks, ending at X29.
to hit;
damage + if evil.
Edit: Pot crit:
to hit;
more damage.
AC 29+3, touch 18, flat-footed 23 (+7 armor, +5 Dex, +4 shield, +2 deflection, +1 dodge) + 4 with mobility +3 when smitign
hp 72/81 (9d10+2d8)
Fort +13, Ref +18, Will +13
Lay on Hands: 4d6 healing
Smite Evil (+3 to hit, +3 AC, +13 damage) 2/4 left
Divine Bond 9/min (2x) day.
Xerath is not even close to hitting the massive undead, while Appario's divinely-infused sword connects with tremendous impact. Despite this, it looks like another similar strike would be required to destroy the creature.
***
Derek moves up behind the beast, allowing himself to touch that small part of his essence that infuses his soul.
As his own melody slowly begins to slip into a harmony with the beasts deep bass sound, he can feel anger slowly slipping into his mind.
As he raises Duskhunter, the ocarina glow around it deepens, as the sword responds to his anger.
Derek, perhaps unused to this aspect of his weapon, is unable to penetrate the huge creature's thick skin.
***
The undead attempts to free itself from The Beast's grip.
But it fails miserably.
***
"Eat Anatheum you unnatural abomination!"
Round 3, Init 22
Appario spring attacks, ending at AB25.
to hit;
damage.
Xerath strikes again, but is clearly unused to fighting a creature like this as he misses terribly.
Yahirma approaches and throws salt on the death-spider.
Derek this time penetrates the undead's hide, but the attack doesn't seem to hurt it any more than Xerath's misses. Appario continues extorting pain from the nightskitter, and while Yahirma's salts don't have the desired effect, The Beast easily keeps the undead down by brute force.
***
The undead tries once more to escape The Beast's deathgrip, but fails.
***
***
With The Beast continuing to handle the nightskitter as if it were a mere doll in its arms, the group easily destroys the undead spider.
Appario swings twice more against the felled spider, making sure it stays re-dead and, well, enjoying the heady rush of smite.
to hit;
damage;
to hit;
damage.
Appario smiles at the Beast, noting how easily the spider was slain with the aid of his companions.
"Beast, you sure bullied that thing around," Appario quips, looking around for anything of interest in the webbings.
Perception
Apart from the doors leading onwards, there's nothing of note within the webbings.
As people get ready to move on (and Maddok uncuddles his lovespider), Appario inspects the door.
Perception (+1 more for traps)
"This place is bigger than I thought it would be," Appario muses while checking things out.
"And better populated," Yahirma notes with some disgust at the sight of the butchered nightshade. She picks up Shu-Ak'eh-Di's weapon and holds it out to him.
The doors open into an open-air clearing surrounded by a vast garden of metallic trees bearing brass-colored fruits. A pair of fiery pools churn and burn at the far side of the clearing, while gaps in the densely packed trees reveal barely visible glimpses of bestial couplings between devils and mortals. Mingled cries of agony, pain, and passion resound and echo through the sickly sweet and cloyingly warm air. Between the two fiery pools stands a towering statue of a minotaur wreathed in flames, almost as if it were a fire elemental.
***
The trees, the open sky, and the passionate glimpes are all illusions; the actual chamber is the size of the clearing itself (30-by-30 ft). The fiery pools and the stone minotaur are real (as are the flames encompassing the statue). Behind the statue is another set of double doors leading further west.
You recognize the statue as a Large (with 10-ft reach) Construct (revealing all construct traits) known as a Stone Guardian, although the flames surrounding it aren't common to such creations.
Stone guardians are typically tied to a unique ring by their creator, providing safe passage for whoever wears the ring and all others within 10 ft. This safety is broken if the ring-wearer or someone in his or her entourage attacks the stone guardian in any way.
Only adamantine weapons fully damage them, and they can see invisible creatures as easily as they see ordinary ones.
As above, plus: In addition to the abilities of a regular stone guardian, you recall that some creators infuse them with elemental aspects.
Those infused by fire are immune to that element, while being vulnerable to cold (although resistance to cold is often applied to lessen that vulnerability), their slams deal additional damage in the form of fire, and they can even breathe fire.
"There are many illusions in this room as well. The trees, sky, the rutting, all false."
"Confirmed," Yahirma echoes in agreement. "The big statue, though, is quite real and very much on fire. As in the desert, this illusion hides doors over there." She points across the room then makes an observation in Shoanti to the giant that leads the Gardeners.
"This room's woodlands and creatures are figments. The large statue is very real, but I do not like how it burns with fire. An enemy in wait, perhaps?"
Will Save
Appario notes the area as well and waits for the Beast to lead the way.
***
Livia risks glancing through the doors following the reports of a statue as opposed to deadly monsters. Gasping, she snaps her fingers. "That's it! That's what the ring was! Put it on, Derek!" She smiles gleefully, then amends, "Anyone could, of course.. That statue is a guardian, but if someone wears the ring it will let us pass! As long as we stay close together." Pausing, the tiny devil looks meaningfully at The Beast. "And noone attacks it.."
Derek, who is noticeably panting a little from the aftermath of the unusual sensation of giving into anger and rage like that at first does not hear Livia.
Then her words register and he does indeed put on the ring.
Afterwards he glances at the statue and frowns, rubbing his chin for a moment.
"A guardian you say? A...stone guardian?
I've read about those, but I can't remember any details at the moment.
Good catch Livia! A good thing you are here indeed."
Appario waits on the scroll of resist energy, opting to trust Yahirma's magics for a while longer. Instead he watches as Derek (presumably) tries on the ring, and gets ready to follow Derek to the other doors.
Perception, other doors (+1 more for traps)
"Ok, so everyone, stay close to me now ok?"
Derek holds up a hand, displaying the ring openly, then he begins to walk carefully forwards.
The statue lurches into motion as the group enters the chamber, but instead of attacking it steps aside to allow Derek and his followers to pass unhindered to the doors.
After Appario has verified the lack of traps or locks, and opened the doors, a hallway stretches out ahead, at first going southwest, before turning straight west with a series of steep staircases leading yet further downwards at regular intervals.
At the far end of the hallway, after a sharp turn north followed by another steep staircase, it meets a circular chamber. The chamber's domed ceiling is set with countless sparkling gems, while a round table stands in the middle of the room. A single chair sits in front of the table, occupied by a machine-like creature made of metal and gears, while a crystal ball is the only thing on top of the table. There's a single door in the eastern wall.
When you approach, the creature rises, bows formally, then speaks. "Who among you carries the contract? Present it for inspection, please." It holds out one metallic hand, and awaits compliance.
***
You recognize this creature as a Lawful Outsider known as a Kolyarut Inevitable. Kolyaruts are enforcers of bargains, frequently travelling across the planes to ensure that contracts are upheld and suitable punishment is meted out to those who break them, regardless of the terms of agreement.
Only chaotic weapons fully effect a Kolyarut, and they regenerate unless damaged by such weapons or spells.
They are resistant to spells, and typically attack with bastard swords and slams.
All outsider traits and inevitable traits are revealed.
As above, plus: In addition to melee attacks, a Kolyarut has a selecting of spell-like abilities to choose from; discern lies, disguise self, enervation, fear, geas/quest, hold monster, hold person, invisibility, locate creature, mark of justice, suggestion, and vampiric touch.
***
Xerath will look to his allies before handing it over.
Derek catches Xeraths eye and nods carefully.
It somehow seems fitting to find something like that as an forcer of a contract in Cheliax.
Appario looks on, wondering what is going on.
If there is talks of contracts, I should be involved. I'm good at them.
"It is a child of Axis—Abadar's realm. I imagine it wishes to inspect our credentials, not usurp our paperwork," Yahirma advises. "We would do well to be on our best behavior."
"Abadar's realm, Yahirma? Then surely it must be a friend. If it speaks of contracts, then we are in no danger from it."
Appario enjoins Xerath in bringing over the contract.
The Kolyarut carefully inspects the contract and the signatures affixed to it, looking up when it finishes. "This is all in order. If it can be verified that one of you is, in fact, the same 'Xerath Carthagnion' mentioned herein." The machinistic creature's gaze lingers on each of you. "To that end, would you submit to magics allowing me to tell truth from lie?"
"Point of order please, You have inspected our contract, before any one of us submit to such a test, please state your name and authority for the record."
"For the record"...I've been making too many deals at the Abadar temple..., but it SHOULD speak to his sense of propriety...I hope.
The creature regards Derek, and bows once more. "I am Signatory Vaccha, Kolyarut Inevitable of the Scriptures of Adamantine."
"Signatory Vaccha, you may begin whatever test you deem needed."
Signatory Vaccha nods, casts discern lies, and concentrates on Xerath as he asks only the single question "Are you, or one of these others, the same 'Xerath Carthagnion' mentioned in this document?"
***
The Kolyarut bows once more, and steps aside. "You may pass. Through this door there's a library and laboratory, both now yours. Beyond, you will find the heart of the Infernal Engine. If you wish, you may use this crystal ball to communicate safely with Liebdaga from here. Do you have any questions?"
"I am he."
Appario jumps in at the offer of questions...his mind flooding with a 1000 of them. He narrows them down to just a few.
"How long have you been here? And is there anyone or anything between us and Liebdaga? Have you met Abadar? What's he like?"
Derek will wait until Vaccha has answered Apparios questions before speaking up.
"We seek to shut down the infernal engine before it overloads and explodes.
Is there a way to do that without freeing Liebdaga? And if no, is there any sort of safety feature one can engage to...stack the odds in ones favour for the most likely inevitable combat that will otherwise ensue?"
Yahirma relaxes slightly as others do the talking.
Machine-people as the embodiment of order…I had heard of them, but seeing is another thing. Truly it's a strange and wonderful multiverse in which we live.
The Kolyarut answers each question in order.
"How long have you been here?"
"Time.. I've heard of the fascination mortals have with time." He ponders the question. "What year do you call it now?" Once answered, he nods. "Then I've been here for 69 years."
"And is there anyone or anything between us and Liebdaga?"
"There's this door, then the library and laboratory, followed by a barred door. His cell contains a measure of animation."
"Have you met Abadar?"
"I have not."
"What's he like?"
"He is a pinnacle of law and order."
"We seek to shut down the infernal engine before it overloads and explodes.
Is there a way to do that without freeing Liebdaga?"
"No. The terms are dependant upon the engine's continued operation. If it's no longer operational, Liebdaga will be freed of all obligations. Further, the engine powers his imprisonment. Once any remaining energies run out, his cell will open."
"And if no, is there any sort of safety feature one can engage to...stack the odds in ones favour for the most likely inevitable combat that will otherwise ensue?"
"Stacking the odds? That is a most chaotic concept. I could not answer such a question. Perhaps you will find an answer in the library."
Hrrrnnh, naturally a keeper of law will also be a pedant when it comes to language.
"What I mean is, we are OBLIGED to make sure Liebdaga does not use his newfound freedom to destroy the people we are answering to."
Concept of love and such would be lost on this one...
"So, it seems we must fight, as such, is there any help to be offered so that we may fulfil our DUTY?"
There, does this appease your nature, oh keeper of law and contracts?
"I see. I recall that those who captured him used a talisman of some kind to aid them. If you could find it, perhaps it would aid you, as well." The inevitable pauses, thinking. "Also, Liebdaga must currently be weakened from the energies that have been siphoned from him. Once the engine no longer functions, he will grow stronger with every passing day. Waiting until his cell opens on its own, however long that takes, would thus be strategically unsound."
"Thank you, I am assuming you have no idea where the talisman could possibly be located?
Hmmm..."
There were more mirrors were there not? And we did find the ring that allowed us to bypass the guardian there...