Well, now we shall see just what kind of woman she is, and I for once certainly hope that she is all big brother thinks.
"How are you enjoying things so far Livia? Beats being cooped up don’t it?"
Heh, this is turning into a night of contrasts, devils and angles, vampires and vampire hunters..all in ONE person.
"You know, it doesn't do to underestimate the last vampire, if he is a follower of Nogrober it's bad enough, but if he is a cleric of some skill...combined with a vampires abilities he will be formidable."
Derek takes a hold of his scarf and brings the golden mug symbol to his lips for a kiss.
As he moves down the corridor his grip on punchline hardens, this moment is very much like the crescendo of a powerful musical number, of just before the climax of a great play.
Appario turns his head to better listen to the imp's answer.
What does she have to live for up here? She gets no souls while I am around.
Appario moves with the group, happy to have light.
"Which way do we go? Where is the Morrowfall?"
"The vampires cannot get to the Morrowfall right now. Let's finish them off first", the big man says.
Maddok moves to the door on the southern side of the hallway (that leads to the mausoleum) and opens it.
***
Livia comes out of her invisibility and flies to Derek.
"These couple of months I've been following all of you have brought me much more excitement than the last two decades put together! This day is no different! I can't wait to see what happens next!"
***
The light cluster goes to work performing Maddok's wishes, but hesitates, it's light growing darker, as it reaches Livia and Semenya. It moves towards Maddok again, and melodic speech comes from it despite there being no obvious mouth.
"Would you truly have me aid the devil and she who carries a devil's head on her shoulder?"
At Maddok's confirmation, the archon continues doing as it was bid, although flittering quickly away from Livia and Semenya after providing its aiding touch.
***
Vahnwynne answers Appario.
"Do you see the pulsing light to the north? That comes from the Morrowfall."
Turning to follow Maddok, Vahnwynne sees the spawn standing behind her. She moves next to it, testing the weight of her new stake in her right hand while measuring the spawn with the wooden stake in her left hand.
***
The door is unlocked, and opens when Maddok tries it. Beyond is a short hallway, opening into a larger chamber. The edges of a large stone sarcophagus can be seen.
Appario - 10
Derek - 7
Yahirma - 4
Vahnwynne - 8
Semenya - 6
Livia - 6
Once the rest of the party catches up, Maddok moves into the room carefully.
Appario, torn between helping Vahnwynne deal with the threat behind and Maddok moving ahead, pauses for a moment before moving to aid Vahnwynne.
With Extortion, he will strike at the spawn, seeking to end that evil.
to hit;
damage.
"Rest in peace oh lost soul, and may your good deeds in life be weighed against the evil you did in death at Pharasmas court."
Derek strikes at the held Spawn as well.
"Glad you are enjoying yourself Livia, you have a lot of time to make up for yes?"
Semenya keeps her crossbow loaded and aimed at the spawn's midsection just in case it awakens...
She gives a very faint smirk at Khazrae's whispered comment. And pulls out a scroll of Protection from Evil.
"Yahirma, do you think it wise to cast this - or have you cast - on Vahnwynne to keep her from being turned against us?"
"Vahnwynne will not turn, not so long as she remembers her focus and stays near Maddok. I'm sure she will..." Yahirma trails off as Appario and Derek attack a "defenseless" vampire.
The situation snaps into focus, and she raises her hands. "Whoa, whoa." She points at the vampire spawn that is raising its hands in self-defense. "Whoa to you, too. Appario, Derek, while this spawn is indeed undead, that does not make it any less innocent than Vahnwynne." She motions for the spawn to join her at the bottom of the stairs (assuming it survives until then) and asks, "Do you remember your name and who you once were? Do you desire a chance at a new life or an end to this state?"
Trapped against its will, we can at least offer it a last look at the sun. Unrepentant, it shall be banished.
Appario lowers his sword, heeding Yahirma's will and words.
"As you wish, Yahirma. Some evils can be tolerated..." Appario's eyes dart to the disembodied head and the imp, "...and some I am unsure how to tolerate."
Appario then moves behind Maddok, to protect his flank.
Derek lowers his weapon with a look of embarrassment.
"For sure you humble me my lady Yahirma, offering redemption to one and forgetting the other? And after my big speech...truly I must learn to think before acting.
There is enough redemption for all who desire it in this world, no matter what the doomsayers might have you believe."
Shaking his head at his own foolishness Derek continues slowly forward, muttering to himself about seeing things through to the end.
Embarrassed in front of Livia, I'm not sure why that should be so important, but it is, I like her as much as my other friends.
Chuckling a little to himself Derek continues his inner monologue.
I suppose it is because the others already know me well enough to expect the occasional foolish behaviour, whereas she may not have realized my nature yet.
Vahnwynne lowers her stakes at Yahirma's words, looks briefly towards her, then descends to join Maddok at the entrance to the mausoleum.
***
A few of the spawn's fresh wounds close, yet many remain from Appario's sword and Derek's rapier as it moves to join Yahirma.
"I don't remember my name, or if I had one. I think I might have been a fisherman. Before. This is me, now."
Seeing that the party (or at least most of it) is ready to move in, Maddok enters the mausoleum.
Semenya follows behind Maddok, ready to cast Lightning Bolt if needed. The crossbow is still cocked and slung on her back with a silver-tipped bolt.
Appario follows Semenya and Maddok, but after apologizing (somewhat confusedly) to the spawn.
"Uhm, sorry. I hope your wounds heal nicely with unholy ease."
Wait. We're not here to kill them types?
Moving into the hallway, the archon above his head lighting the path, the chamber beyond is revealed bit by bit to Maddok's eyes. Three large stone sarcophagi, each 5 ft high, dominate the floor of the 20 ft high chamber, providing a difficult combat arena. Two spawn are in the room, both looking ready for combat.
***
Current Initiative order:
20 - Appario, Derek, and Maddok (plus the archon)
14 - Semenya
12 - Vahnwynne
11 - Spawn (both)
4 - Yahirma (plus the controlled spawn)
***
Appario moves quickly into the room, happy to finally have some spawn to vanquish.
Moving to X15 (jumping to top of sarcophagus), and attacks Spawn#6.
to hit;
damage.
Acrobatics on jump.
Derek moves forward cautiously, Punchline at the ready.
Wasn't that Nogrober follower supposed to be here as well...can he be invisible and waiting to trap us? Or maybe in the ceiling?
Derek takes the rest of his turn carefully scanning for the presence of another vampire.
Maddok moves into the room and takes a mighty swing with his hammer at closest spawn.
"Where is the leader?", he demands.
The archon floats gently into the room and fires a pair of brilliant rays down at Maddok's target.
Appario jumps easily on top of the sarcophagus, bringing his sword down on the shoulder of the spawn behind it.
Derek doesn't notice any additional vampires in the part of the chamber he can see.
Maddok's hammer crashes down onto the spawn, while the archon's rays fail to hit their target.
***
***
Semenya stays near the back of the party, and pulls out a scroll.
(Casting See Invisible off of a scroll).
With the divining powers granted to her sight, Semenya now sees the translucent shape of another vampire, crouching 10 ft up on the wall above .
***
Pushing past Derek and Semenya, Vahnwynne runs up to the spawn Appario is attacking, joining in. Appario sees her skid to a halt next to it, attempting to stab it with her new stake.
Showing perhaps too much eagerness, the vampire hunter drives her stake into the sarcophagus, nearly hitting Appario's boot.
***
The two spawn each slam those that injured them, then step back.
Both miss.
***
Semenya sees the translucent vampire present a holy symbol with one hand as it clings to the wall. The vampire becomes fully visible as a wave of negative energy flows through the room, chilling the living as it passes through them.
Maddok and the archon each take 10 damage, while Appario, Derek, Semenya (and Khazrae) each take 5 damage from the burst. The wave didn't appear to have any adverse effect on Vahnwynne.
Following the unleashed energy, the vampire is joined by a double, overlaying its position and making it difficult to accurately target it .
***
There you are! I thought you wouldn't stray far from your coffin. But only three of them? None for the spawns?
Derek moves into the room and begins to sing for the fourth time this day.
The old pipes sure are getting a workout, but it's good, I've never been able to use the magic of music this long before. Good to test the limits.
Via the message cantrip to Yahirma:
Semenya will run up the side of the wall to V15 and cast burning hands at the chief spawn, 10' over everyone's head.
Reflex save DC 16 for half.
Maddok grunts in pain as the cold entropic energy saps his strength.
"Coward", he growls when he sees his prey is outside his reach.
Resigning to defeat the remaining spawn, Maddok takes a step forward and swings again.
The archon floats down and brushes up against the big Shoanti filling him with vitality again.
Appario smiles as the spawn's attack hits against his armor, rebuffed.
Ah, my armor is strong against vampires and their minions! This is a good sign for me living through this day!
Appario's smile fades as the negative energy and washes over him and the vampire appears.
Evil. I found it.
***
The cone of flame sears the vampire's flesh, appearing to deal significant damage as it's unable to get out of the way in time.
***
Maddok's hammer once again crashes into the now-reeling spawn.
***
***
Yahirma commands the spawn to stay where it is, while moving into the hallway behind the rest of the party . Seeing the wall-clinging vampire and hearing Semenya's whispered suggestion, she attempts to relieve the vampire of its holy symbol.
The golden holy symbol of Norgorber flies out of the outraged vampire's grasp to be clutched in Yahirma's hand.
***
Appario's head spins to follow the holy symbol flies away from the vampire and towards Yahirma.
Heh. I wasn't expect to see that.
"Thank you, Yahirma! That should help!"
Raising Extortion, Appario strikes at the vampire on the wall.
to hit;
damage.
Appario will 5' step to Y15, hopping off the sarcophagus.
Acrobatics
"You want me, come get me, vampire."
Come to the ground, you dirt napper.
HP: 34/44
AC: 23 (+7 armor, +2 shield, +3 dex, +1 dodge)
Smitten: 1 of 2
Lay on Hands used: 0/4
Appario's sword slides into the vampire's flesh, bypassing its chain armor to draw blood.
***
Vahnwynne jumps up onto the sarcophagus in Appario's stead, and attempts to stab the vampire.
She drives the stake into the vampire, as easily as Appario before her.
***
The two spawn attack their respective targets once more. Afterwards, Appario's spawn stands its ground, while Maddok's steps further back.
Both miss again.
***
The vampire moves further up the wall, away from the reach of anyone standing on the sarcophagi, although not without leaving itself open to Vahnwynne's attack.
She misses the vampire, but its illusory double vanishes following her attack.
The vampire moves up the wall and onto the ceiling above Derek's head. Clinging to the roof with one hand, it casts a spell. Pure silence descends upon the nearest area, cutting off Derek's song.
***
Maddok curses in Shoanti (but nobody hears it) as he closes on his spawn to finish it off.
The archon spins in place, firing off another pair of rays at Jair.
Maddok's hammer crushes the spawn while both of the archon's rays strike the vampire. The spawn's body dissolves into mist.
***
Oi! What do you think you are playing at? That's the greatest insult you can give to an artist!
Derek atempts to move beyond the area of silence that the vampire radiates.
Catching his breath, Derek once more tries to give voice to his song.
Mist swirls beneath Derek's feet as he moves past Maddok into the western hallway. The bard's song begins anew, but among the rest of the party only Maddok is able to hear it. Those within the silenced area who can see him notice his mouth moving, but they hear nothing.
***
Appario smiles as his armor once again proves useful to ward off a blow.
Swinging Extortion at the remaining spawn, Appario hopes to end it's existence.
to hit;
damage.
HP: 39/44 + 5 temps
AC: 23 (+7 armor, +2 shield, +3 dex, +1 dodge)
Smitten: 1 of 2
Lay on Hands used: 0/4
***
Appario's sword once again easily penetrates the spawn's defenses, but it still remains upright. Its collective injuries don't yet appear to be unlife-threatening.
***
Semenya mutters (silently) in the effects of the spell, and pulls out the fallen Pathfinder's magical crossbow, already loaded with a silver-tipped bolt.
To hit.
Damage (If the magical crossbow has a higher plus than this, adjust as needed.)
As her move action, she scuttles 20' along the wall away from the undead priest, to the ceiling over V11. Hopefully out of the range of that spell...
Shaking her head at the vampire's canny climbing abilities, Yahirma backpedals to R16 and then invokes one of her more recently bound spiritual contacts. "Halusidetos, aeropete!" she calls to the vampire's silenced ears while gesturing sharply to her right.
***
Semenya's bolt misses the vampire, flying far wide of its mark, as does the chain appearing in the air beneath it.
***
Vahnwynne steps onto the middle sarcophagus, running along it then jumping off to land behind the spawn, at the same time escaping the silence. She then joins Appario in his attempt at finishing it off.
The stake is driven into the spawn's chest, nearly crippling it. Despite the force of the attack, it still remains standing.
***
A couple of the spawn's wounds close up, yet so many remain that it almost makes no difference. It attempts once more to penetrate Appario's defenses.
By now mostly resigned to its fate, the spawn's arms weakly bounce against Appario's armor.
The mist beneath Derek's feet begins drifting away down the western hallway, nearly reaching the door.
***
The vampire looks at Yahirma, its eyes glowing red, and she feels her mind coming under assault.
Yahirma's mind fights off the assault, with the aid of the spirits following her wherever she goes.
The vampire follows Yahirma, and its holy symbol, ending up clinging to the wall 10 ft above her head, 5 ft down from the ceiling.
***
The sound of Derek's voice again fills the chamber as the silence moves into the hallway .
***
"He's trying to escape!", Maddok warns.
He chants briefly, asking the spirits to lend them their swiftness.
The archon, empowered by its new speed and emboldened by Derek's song, floats over and fires a trio of light rays at the vampire.
***
All three of the archon's beams of light strike the vampire, and its form dissipates into mist.
***
Three coffins here, so where are you going then?
Derek will follow the mist, trying to see where it is heading.
He trust his comrades to finish the last spawn without his help.
One of them is a vampire AND a vampire hunter, if that is not a recipe for success then...it doesn't bear thinking about.
Derek twirls punchline as he advances cautiously.
How long since I actually attacked something? i am being overshadowed by my companions.
But it is only fair, this must be how some of them felt during the play.
"I am not too proud to play second fiddle, or I wouldn't be if I had a fiddle...and one of the others could play."
Hmm, for some reason that thought makes me want to set fire to someone and steal his instrument.
My armor is working...
Appario will strike at the spawn again.
to hit;
damage.
Appario's finely-placed swing cuts through the final spawn, and its form also dissipates into mist.
The spawn's mist begins drifting in the same direction as the mist Derek follows, out of this chamber and towards the double doors to the west, while the vampire's mist drifts into the central sarcophagus, bringing the silence with it back into the chamber (although once the mist is inside the sarcophagus, sound functions normally again).
With the heat of battle over, those near the sarcophagi notice there are several bones lying between them, while a small stack of ribs and femurs bearing intricate scrimshaws sit on the lid of one of the stone coffins. The lid of each sarcophagus bear crude carvings, depicting faceless humanoids with arms crossed over their chests.
***
Appario takes deep breaths as he finishes off the final foe. He takes a moment to run his hand down his armor, as if checking to see that is truly whole and did protect him.
Appario smiles at the soundness of his armor against the vampire and spawn.
"Ah good. Now why did we come in here again? The Morrowfall is nearby?"
Appario will take his time in examining the sarcophagi from several angles.
Perception (+1 for traps)
Perception (+1 for traps)
Perception (+1 for traps)
Appario doesn't find any traps on the sarcophagi, but he notices that the lids appear fairly heavy.
Vahnwynne places her stakes into her belt. The palm and fingers of the hand she used to hold the silver stake show severe burn marks, but she says nothing as she joins Maddok and watches Appario work.
Maddok says a few words to the archon in Shoanti.
"We need to end these creatures, permanently", the big man says. "Vahnwynne could you show us how it's done?"