Taedric's eyes blaze briefly with an inner light as he calls upon the Eternal Rose for aid in destroying the ugliness before him, before lashing out with Radiance
Seeing Kyra alive lifts Alora's spirit, even more so seeing the effect on Kelden. The brief moment is immediately shattered by the attack of the massive demon.
Joy and shock give way to a burning anger as she focuses on the creature that had quite clearly been a part of her friend's suffering the wave of fear barely as noticeable as a chill breeze in her angered state. The sigil on her forehead flares to life, eyes blazing as she conjures a burst of pure radiantly divine energy in the demon's face.
Is there a way to set up flanking with Thrall? I mean, with a 5' step or something?
Not where you are right now. You would need to get on the other side of the demon.
You could Aid Another from where you are though.
Round 2 complete______________________
Spells in effect-----
Bless; affecting all the heroes. +1 morale bonus to attacks and saves vs. fear.
Good Hope; affecting all but Thrall and Kyra. Each affected creature gains a +2 morale bonus on saving throws, attack rolls, ability checks, skill checks, and weapon damage rolls.
Prayer; You and each of your allies gain a +1 luck bonus on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saves, and skill checks. Your enemy is unaffected somehow.
-------------------------------
Thrall, even from his awkward prone position, is able to throw a shockingly powerful cestus punch into the arch of one of the demon’s feet. When the demon rocked back with a screech, he slipped free with a whispered Liberating Command!
Rolling away from the beast's grasp, he stood up and looked around.
Sapphiria seems to recognize the demon's incantation and holds up her emblazoned shield, points at the demon with her falcata, and Counterspelled the summoning!
The demon cried out in shock as his spell is torn from his grip, and the summoning coming up behind Sapphiria collapsed, taking the creature climbing through with it in a cry of despair.
Taedric's eyes blaze briefly with an inner light before lashing out with Radiance.
Two mighty swings encounter only images, but two are dispelled; leaving only four demonic images to target now.
The sigil on Alorah’s forehead flares to life, eyes blazing as she conjures a burst of pure radiantly divine energy in the demon's face. The demon took it full in the face, burning and blinding it.
(npc) Kelden came up to the demon and swung his scimitar, but it just glanced aside from the demon’s unholy dense flesh.
(npc) Kyra started working the locking mechanism on the bars, they having been partly melted through by Kelden earlier.
(npc) Grey climbed nimbly up to help Kyra work the cage mechanism.
(Standard)The vrock, enraged at being blinded, took a deep breath and emitted a shrill screech!
All creatures in 30 feet radius of it must make a Fort Save DC21 or be Stunned 1 hour.
Only Alorah, Knave and Sapphiria are out of reach of this.
(Free) Shaking its feathers, it released a cloud of spores from its body. Adjacent creatures take (five points) of damage from the spores, plus (two) points of damage per round for 10 rounds as the spores grow into thick green vines.
This only affects Kelden, Taedric and Thrall.
(extra standard)
Lashing out blind, it managed to claw Thrall for eleven slashing, almost by accident.
It also bumped into the cage as it shifted around, making it sway back and forth drunkenly.
Round 3______________________
Spells in effect-----
Bless; affecting all the heroes. +1 morale bonus to attacks and saves vs. fear.
Good Hope; affecting all but Thrall and Kyra. Each affected creature gains a +2 morale bonus on saving throws, attack rolls, ability checks, skill checks, and weapon damage rolls.
Prayer; You and each of your allies gain a +1 luck bonus on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saves, and skill checks. Your enemy is unaffected somehow.
Spores, (two) points of damage per round for 9 rounds as the spores grow into thick green vines. (This only affects Kelden, Taedric and Thrall.)
Stunning Screech Grey, Kyra, Kelden, Taedric and Thrall. must make a Fort Save DC21 or be Stunned 1 hour.
Calling upon the greater divine power granted to her, Alorah utters a single word, a portal to the higher planes opening right above the Vrock, giving way to a Hound Archon that immediately lays into the demon with blade and fang.
As her summoned ally presses the attack, the sorceress takes aim with her crossbow sending a shot streaking toward the blinded demon.
Sapphiria drops the hammer with a holy smite, bringing down a rain of scintillating holy energy upon the demon.
As the scream splits the air, Kyra claps both her hands over her ears and collapses to her knees as the torture begins to replay over and over in her head while her companions fight for their lives below...
Taedric continues to swing, hoping to connect with the demon rather than its images... and tries to take a small step to flank with Thrall or the Archon.
With all his hair floating backwards due to the demon's mighty cry, Thrall stands his ground, even against the creature's claws and spores.
You'll have to do better than that!"
He knows it's still tough to land a blow on it, but they need to start capitalising from their numeric advantage. There's way more attacks incoming than images can defend it.
He took two staggering steps forward before the screech of the creature overwhelmed his mind.
Round 3 completed______________________
Alorah utters a single word, a portal to the higher planes opening right above the Vrock, giving way to a Hound Archon that immediately lays into the demon with blade and fang.
As her summoned ally presses the attack, the sorceress takes aim with her crossbow sending a shot streaking toward the blinded demon.
Sapphiria drops the hammer with a holy smite, bringing down a rain of scintillating holy energy upon the demon.
Kyra claps both her hands over her ears and collapses to her knees as the torture begins to replay over and over in her head while her companions fight for their lives below...
Taedric continues to swing, and tries to take a small step to flank with Thrall or the Archon.
Radiance smote the demon twice, the silver fire burning it for major damage.
With all his hair floating backwards, Thrall stands his ground.
Will five-foot-step and full-attack instead of using Vital Strike to try to fade as many images as possible.
Kelden took two staggering steps forward before the screech of the creature overwhelmed his mind.
The battle is over.
As the noise of battle died away and the Stun faded, what do you do?
Sapphiria sheathes her falchion and moves to help collect Kyra's things and bring them to the captive woman while Kelden helps to free her.
Thrall throws a quick glance all over the room, checking for possible exits and maybe anything of interest.
Taedric whistles, "Well done, everyone," and prepares to wipe the ichor off the blade before noting the way it sizzles and turns to ash, Well, that's useful, he thinks, waiting just a moment before homing the now-clean blade.
Seeing his companions rushing to aid Kyra, the small paladin turns, looking to find -- and calm -- his furry companion.
Nothing disturbs you as you recover from the fear/stun effects.
Kyra is noticeably down on hp and torture effects.
The doors marked in red are blocked due to fallen rubble.
As the others aid & heal this new/old compatriot, Grey cautiously assesses the exits for threats or opportunities.
Kyra's stupor breaks as the demon falls, getting slowly back to her feet. She was bruised and battered from head to feet, covered in dried and caked blood, and old as well as fresh wounds dotted her exposed skin, but she still smiles at her friends. "I knew the Dawnflower would not abandon me, nor my friends." As soon as the cage was opened, she steps out of it and dignified as she could and heads directly to Kelden, grabbing the sides of his face with both of her hands and kisses him. "But... I did wonder if I was to ever see the sky again in this life.
He didnt have words... instead he merely reached for Kyra tears streaming down his face...
"Light of my heart. I had not lost faith but it was hard."
He didnt appear shocked when she kissed him, they had shared kisses before... but this felt different. It felt so much better. He returned the kisses with equal passion.
Sounding almost like the pre-pubescent boy he uncannily resembles, Grey pauses in his investigations. "Less with the smoochie-smoochie, more with the healie-healie, Sunblade."
"Declarations of undying affection can wait for after we find the Sword!" He adds.
"Beter nog, nadat we veilig terug naar het kamp zijn gegaan. Tijd en plaats mensen." He mutters sotto vocce as he returns to his task.
You don't hear anything behind the other doors except for the southern ones, where you hear the distant echos of the battle raging outside.
Kyra breaks her embrace with coy look at the halfling, but turns to graciously thank Sapphiria for gathering her gear. She winces and needs to steady herself against Kelden while she gingerly slips on her armor. When she picks up her blade with Kankai's feathers drifting lazily in an unseen breeze, she draws it and presses it to her forehead. "Dancing Phoenix..." A quiet, breathless whisper, and sad frown. "I do not see Kankai with you, did she fall?"
He tried to smile and found he couldnt. The bird had been a friend and like the others gone before he could appreciate them.
"I am not sure. There was an attack and we all got split up a bit. She was missing in the aftermath. With luck perhaps we will find her here like you waiting to be rescued..."
His tone said he didnt expect a second miracle in the day though. He gave her one more final right hug.. Grey was right in a way. There would be time for this later. They were here on a mission.
"How hurt do you all feel..."
"A bit, but more on my personal honour."
He cast a spell quickly his hands aglow with healing light. He went ahead and introduced Kyra to the folks on the mission.
"Kyra.. my light this is Thrall known as the Lucky. A good stout warrior of the light, This is Grey, and his friend Soggy. This is Sapphiria...an oracle of skill ... she uh.. cant use her voice to communicate. And that wonderful gnome is Taedric Starfell...the new holder of Radiance.
He didnt mention Alorah of course. She knew her already.
Sapphiria produces a washcloth and with a flick of her wrist she dampens it, then offers it to Kyra to help clean up a bit.
Unable to help further, the Hound Archon disappears with a salute.
What's the plan? Go through a door? Retreat to rest? Heal up here?
Returning the salute with a smile as her summoned ally departs, Alorah aids in Kyra's clean up, gesturing as the grime and dried blood are magically sloughed off of her, her clothing cleaned and left with the scent of sweet almond.
"Shall we continue on or should we take time to regroup?" the sorceress asks.
Thrall shrugs. "As you wish. I can go on if you want."
Investigating further the exits to the Great Hall…
To the West; the two sets of double doors don’t appear locked, and have wear points that suggest frequent use. You don’t hear any noise that way.
The SW double doors seem to have been blocked by a Shape Stone spell. You would have to break them to go that way.
The SW single door doesn’t appear locked. It doesn’t look used, but it’s not dust covered either.
To the North, the double doors are blocked with tons of rubble.
To the East; the two sets of double doors (and the two single doors SE) don’t appear locked, are rusty and dust covered. You don’t hear any noise that way.
To the SE, the double doors don’t appear locked, and have wear points that suggest frequent use.
To the South; The doors here are large and armored, and locked with iron bars on this side. You hear the distant clangor of battle between the armies outside here.
Kyra returns after listening near several of the doors and indicates that she heard some whispers behind the southeastern door. "Whomever was behind these doors seemed concerned. Perhaps we should start there?"
Pointing to the westerly doors, Grey adds quietly "Summat breathing back there...
So at least it's not just Undead."
Taedric, mounted again, moves forward, then nods, "Maybe we jam one of the doors while dealing with the other - just to be sure? Now that I've got my saddlebags back, I have some spikes.."
With Alorah helping Kyra on the clean-up, Sapphiria switches to dealing with Kyra's scrapes and bruises.
Kyra lets out a heavy sigh of relief as many of her wounds are cleaned and healed. "Thank you, Alorah and Sapphiria. I feel much better."
"Happy to have you with us to need magic, Kyra." the sorceress says with a warm smile. " I agree barring the door sounds like the best move, if we need I can probably pull up a spell or two that will help."
He blushed with embaressment. He had been so focused on the joy of his love being there with him, in his arms that her state somehow slipped his mind. Some cleric he was. Still... They did have work to do.
"Do you feel up to joining us Kyra? I dont want to see you further hurt if you are not ready for it."
Kyra looks at Kelden with a fearsome determination. "I am ready to send these demon worshipers to their masters. Let us continue, we cannot stand idle while this scum runs rampant."
"Alright. Let's bar this door and head on through the other." Alorah says, focusing on the direction indicated by Kyra.
Opening the west doors, you come upon a lit chamber.
Two rows of stone benches to the south face a raised dais to the north, on which stands a twelve-foot-tall statue of an armored woman with a sword and shield.
Faded tapestries hang in tatters to either side, and a larger one on the south wall depicts the armored woman on bended knee before a man wearing green robes.
Three smaller, human sized statues of armored knights stand within small alcoves to the west, each holding a longsword pointing downward.
There is an armored woman on the dais that looks like the spitting image of the statue looming overhead. She is leading a bunch of knights seated in the pews in a prayer to Iomedae.
She turns to you and beckons.
"Come! Enter and kneel in prayer to the Inheritor! None shall harm you here!" She intoned with a charismatic smile.
Surprised at the welcome sight, Alorah shifts her gaze to peer into the magical spectrum, looking for signs of magic.
Thrall looks at the woman with suspicion. "This has to be a trap..."
"Sure!" he goes, walking towards her slowly.
Sapphiria cocks her head at the unexpected sight and cranes her neck around a bit, looking for things that might seem out of place.