"It challenged me," Nuveril insists to Linah. "You heard it! Coward!" she roars up blindly into the sky. "Have you no honor? Do you fear to face me? Return the boy; or meet me on a fair battlefield, and I will take him!"
Nuveril's taunt draws an angry sounding growl from the creature. It sounds like it lands again from the heavy sounding thump.
I HAVE NO TAKEN NO BOY! I AM THE GUARDIAN OF THIS PLACE. THE WARDEN TO THE EVIL THAT RESIDES WITHIN.
BUT NO HUMAN NOR HALFLING SHALL CALL ME A COWARD AND ESCAPE MY CENSURE. IF IT IS AN HONORABLE BATTLE YOU SEEK WARRIOR THEN YOU SHALL HAVE IT!
SAY THE WORD AND I SHALL CEASE THIS SPELL OF INVISIBILITY. AS ALL THE GODS OF LIGHT MAY BEAR WITNESS.
Linah reaches Nuveril's side. "We have been told that the boy entered here, and his father and brother was forced away when they atempted to go after him. If you stand guard against evil, why did you let the boy enter?"
I HAVE NO TAKEN NO BOY! I AM THE GUARDIAN OF THIS PLACE. THE WARDEN TO THE EVIL THAT RESIDES WITHIN.
BUT NO HUMAN NOR HALFLING SHALL CALL ME A COWARD AND ESCAPE MY CENSURE. IF IT IS AN HONORABLE BATTLE YOU SEEK WARRIOR THEN YOU SHALL HAVE IT!
SAY THE WORD AND I SHALL CEASE THIS SPELL OF INVISIBILITY. AS ALL THE GODS OF LIGHT MAY BEAR WITNESS.
"What else do you call a thing that hides from sight and attacks from a distance those who have no way to fight back?" she demands. "Those are not the tactics of an honorable warrior but of an assassin and a cheat, one who has no compunction about taking the life of another from afar but fears to put himself in the line of danger. Return the boy who entered here, or fight me fairly and we will go in and take him!"
The creature seems to have neither the opportunity or perhaps inclination to respond to Linah's rational attempts at conversation in the face of the enraged barbarian's continued taunting.
THEN SO SHALL IT BE. PROVE YOUR METTLE WARRIOR!
Apparently with only a mental command, the creature becomes visible. It is quite magnificent. A mighty lion's body with a human's face and eagle's wings. It is clearly angry, tension lining its muscles. Its face is set and grim.
A faintly shimmering shield extends around its form in all directions. An enchantment that looks very similar to the one Khalid often uses.
What do we do Khalid, Nuverrril foolishness has forrced a fight with a crrreaturrre that we have no quarrrel with?
Do I attack herr or the beast? he grins at their leader at the second statement but still waits for his direction.
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"If the guardian is intent on a battle, we have little choice but to aid our friend." the inqusitor says in response to Grall's question.
"Guardian! This fight does not have to be, but rest assured that you will deal with more than our halfling friend if you continue to ignore reason." Khalid says, pulling Tempest from its scabbard.
The creature's gaze snaps away from Nuveril. It looks offended.
THIS IS NOW A MATTER OF HONOUR HUMAN. IF YOU HAVE ANY YOU WILL NOT INTERFERE. EVEN PROVOKED I DO NOT KILL WITHOUT CAUSE.
Its attention turns back to the warrior before it.
"Single combat, Khalid," Nuveril agrees, not taking her eyes off the creature. "If I win, our way is clear; if it defeats me, I can hope to have weakened it for the rest of you. Find his son." She gives the creature a nod of respect and then dashes forward.
Grall shakes his head and then walks over to the battlefield without his weapons drawn to watch the ensuing duel.
The crrreaturre has a point, this was Nuverrril's fight she chose. I will be interrrested to see it's tactics, I have only seen a Manticorrre fight in the arrrena, not one of these beasts!
"Are you both insane?!" Linah cries out as things spin out of control. She gathers her powers and bestows a blessing on her companions. "If you fight her you fight me as well", Linah says and moves after Nuveril.
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"Single combat, Khalid," Nuveril agrees, not taking her eyes off the creature. "If I win, our way is clear; if it defeats me, I can hope to have weakened it for the rest of you. Find his son." She gives the creature a nod of respect and then dashes forward.
Reluctantly the inquisitor resheathes Tempest, agreeing to Nuveril's request.
Nuveril closes with the so called lammasu with an agile twist which is not quite fast enough to avoid its attack although athelarge paw misses her head.
AOO miss
Her strike is heavy but too slow to hit the surprisingly agile man-lion.
It responds in a flurry of claws and wings. The halfling takes the left paw with her shield but takes a pounding from the right that has her ears ringing and wears several blows from the wings.
miss
hit
hit
hit
The creature is definately fighting in earnest although the raged halfling may or may not notice that the creature is attempting to land efficient disabling blows rather than killing strikes. Nevertheless its frown turns to a smile as the fight is joined. It seems to revel in the physical contest ignoring Linah at least for now.
Cursing the missed opportunity on her ill-timed first swing, Nuveril attempts to block the distractions of the blows and her audience from her mind and find her focus. "Unsheathe your claws, cat," she demands, "lest you find the mouse at your throat."
Zeladiel lowers his bow and and watches the fight. He shakes his head and mutters to himself.
Round 5
Initiative
Nuveril
Linah (acting)
Lammasu
The lammasu pauses its offensive routine to react to Nuveril's, sliding backward and forward and presenting its least vulnerable parts to the barbarian's strikes. It is agile relative to its size but the halfling finds that it is its hide which is tougher than she expected, she lands several blows which fail to penetrate. A sidestroke with her shield lands her first telling hit, one of the central spikes coming away red with blood from the creature's torso. A shallow wound but proof to the halfling that the creature is no spirit.
Herne watches the battle earnestly, cheering Nuveril's hit.
The tribesmen seems intent on watching for treachery but seems disinclined to interfere with the duel.
Outmatched in both strength and speed as well as skill Linah tries her best to shield Nuveril from the
Linah throws her shield into the melee (presumably) drawing looks of irritation from both combatants.
The creature moves back onto the offensive against the halfling landing a winding blow to the ribs before the barbarian can spin away from the lammasu's other front paw and wings. Its attacks are heavy enough without or without the sharp edges.
hit
miss
miss
miss
The creature regards the halfling for a moment before re-engaging, perhaps a glimmer of respect forming at the barbarian's resilience.
FIGHT AS YOUR HONOUR DEMANDS WARRIOR AND I WILL DO THE SAME.
Nuveril consciously slows her swings, trying to place the impact point of her blows more precisely to penetrate the creature's protective hide, but her care yields no greater results than her recklessness. She growls with frustation.
Nuveril's flurry has her slightly off-balance and the creature moves immediately to capitalise, nearly taking her footing with a hooking right paw and following up with the other and a helping of wings. Linah does her best to keep her shield in place but can do little as the barbarian is pounded.
hit
hit
miss
hit
The creature's surprise is now open.
STILL YOU STAND!
That's because she is as stubborrrn as a Katapeshi camel! Grall yells out with a smirk...
Cognizant of the watching eyes of her fellow tribesman, Nuveril grits her teeth and tries once again to land a single blow. The tiny trickle of blood from the insignificant scratch she gave the creature mocks her, as her best efforts prove futile to the task of penetrating its thick hide. All the taunts of her peers growing up on the savannah ring in her ears: She is too small, too weak to ever prove herself a warrior to her own people. Angry tears of frustration fill her eyes as she realizes that the creature is toying with her, like a grown dog putting up with a puppy tearing at its ear until it bats it down.
Linah's channel erupts in a wave of white light that washes over the nearby combatants.
The lammasu blinks, somewhat comically, at the interruption and withdraws back out of Nuveril's reach.
MY SENSE OF HONOUR IS SATISFIED WARRIOR. IS YOURS?
The creature projects its voice so that it is more easily heard by the rest of the group at the back although in truth the rumbling bass needs little assistance.
AS I HAVE SAID I CONCEAL NO BOY. IF THE FULFILLMENT OF MY DUTY IS .. FORCEFUL IT IS DUE TO NEED. I SERVE THE GREATER GOOD, IN PRESERVATION OF YOUR LIVES AND THE LAND.
He focus on Linah, clearly identifiable in the vestment flowing over her glittering armour.
HERE ME AND BELIEVE, DAWN'S CHILD. I DO NOT LIE.
Linah lowers her scimitar and takes a step back, although she still keeps her stance alert. "We where told that a young man entered the ruins you are guarding and he has not returned. When his family went to look for him they where forced away by a spiritual presence. I take it that was you?" Linah pauses for a moment before continueing. "We seek entrance to retrive the boy and return him to his family. Will you let us do so?"
Linah lowers her scimitar and takes a step back, although she still keeps her stance alert. "We where told that a young man entered the ruins you are guarding and he has not returned. When his family went to look for him they where forced away by a spiritual presence. I take it that was you?" Linah pauses for a moment before continueing. "We seek entrance to retrive the boy and return him to his family. Will you let us do so?"
"Don't protect me, Linah," Nuveril spits, mortified. She raises her shield arm and points accusingly toward the creature. "I asked for no quarter!" she shouts, seeking to establish the point for the record. Then, without looking up to see anyone's face, particularly Herne's, she turns and stalks away past the group, throwing her weapons down violently into the dry grass and sitting with her back to the others to regain her breath.
The creature is silent as Nuveril stalks off, marking the official end to the short encounter.
From his open mouth and expression, Herne doesn't seem to know what to make of things. The evil spirit he feared is some kind of talking amalgym of the great lions his people reveres. If he's scornful of Nuveril's efforts he hides it well.
Turning from its regard to the halfling's back the lammasu turns to answer Linah's question as the rest of you approach.
I TURNED AWAY THE TRIBESMAN AS I HAVE TURNED AWAY COUNTLESS OTHERS OVER THE DECADES I HAVE STOOD WATCH OVER THIS CURSED PLACE. I AM ASSAD ASHRAF-ASIM. ONCE THE TRIBESMAN'S PEOPLE KNEW ME AS THE LION OF FIVE HEAVENS ALTHOUGH THAT TIME IS LONG PAST FROM HUMAN MEMORY.
I AM.. I AM SORRY IF ONE OF HIS KIN EVADED MY WATCH. I AM NOT INFALLIBLE AND MUST STILL HUNT AND REST EVEN IF MY NEED IS REDUCED.
BUT STILL. I MUST NOT PERMIT YOU TO ENTER THE OASIS. AND WHILE IT WILL NO DOUBT BE PAINFUL FOR YOU TO HEAR, ALONE THE BOY IS MOST LIKELY ALREADY DEAD. IF NOT NOW, THEN FOR CERTAIN SHORTLY AFTER THE SUN SETS.
As he speaks the lammasu slowly turns to regard each of you aside from Nuveril, concentrating on you even.
Why can we not enterrr the Oasis Guarrrdian? Can't an exception be made?
Just as you arrre duty bound to prrrotect this place, we arrre also duty bound to prrrotect those in need. What is the harrrm in us trrrying even if it means ourrr deaths?
Linah ignores Nuveril's words but casts a sad look past her shoulders as the halfling walks away. Her shoulders sag slightly as she realizes that perhaps their two wills can't coexist. She sheathes her scimitar and returns her focus on the lammasu. "I am sorry but that is not good enough, Assad Ashraf-Asim", Linah says calmly but clearly. "If there is a chance the boy is alive I am obligated to try and find him. If we are to late, then I will find and return his body to his family so they can arrange a proper burial."
Arasmes moved over to Khalid, once again resting his flail lazily and whispered quietly-
Even as far as magical beasts go, a Lammasu is an arrogant one. Play to its ego and sense of honour and duty. Assuring that we are regular enemies of evildoers is also likely to help.
The great beast looks hard at Grall and then Linah answering both. Herne paid not the slightest attention to the holy symbol at Grall's throat but from its look the lammasu appears to know exactly what it is.
IT IS NOT SIMPLY YOUR LIVES AT RISK, ALTHOUGH THAT ALONE WOULD BE REASON ENOUGH FOR ME TO ACT ON YOUR BEHALF. NOR EVEN YOUR SOULS. AND THAT CERTAINLY IS.
THE UNDEAD THAT OCCUPY THE OASIS ARE NOT MERELY ANIMATE CORPSES, SHELLS RAISED BY UNHOLY MAGICKS. IF SO I WOULD HAVE DESTROYED THEM MYSELF LONG AGO. THEY ARE LIFE DRAINERS. BLOOD DRINKERS. EACH WARRIOR THAT FALLS WILL EITHER SWELL THEIR RANKS OR PROVIDE THEM SUSTENANCE AND STRENGTHEN THEM.
THAT IS WHY I MUST FORBID YOU. I KEEP THEM IN AND ON MY HONOUR I DO MY UTMOST TO KEEP OTHERS OUT. THIS I HAVE DONE FOR YEARS. SLOWLY THINNING THEIR NUMBERS, DENYING THE STRONGER ONES FOOD FOR I CANNOT DESTROY THEM PERMANANTLY.
DO YOU SEE WARRIORS? IF I ALLOW YOU TO PASS AND YOU FAIL THEN THEY MAY BECOME STRONG ENOUGH TO OVERWHELM ME. AND THEN THERE WOULD BE NOTHING TO STOP THEIR DARKNESS SPREADING OVER THESE LANDS!
TRIBESMAN. I AM TRULY SORRY ABOUT YOUR SON. ALL LIFE IS SACRED TO ME. BUT ALTHOUGH THE BOND BETWEEN MYSELF AND YOUR ANCESTORS WAS FORGOTTEN BY YOUR PEOPLE LONG AGO I HONOUR IT STILL.
I DO NOT QUESTION YOUR COURAGE. AND THE HALFLING SHOULD FEEL NO SHAME AT HER DEFEAT. I AM OLD. YOU MUST SIMPLY TRUST THAT I KNOW BEST.
ONLY ONCE BEFORE DID I MAKE THE MISTAKE OF ALLOWING CRUSADERS TO PASS. I WILL NOT DO IT AGAIN.
Herne looks shocked, the tribesman wide eyed at the creature's revelations although it doesn't seem as if he knows quite what to believe.
After a time he says simply.
.. my son knows nothing of your war creature. He just wanted to prove his bravery. You have already given him up but I have not.
Nuveril continues to ignore the proceedings, her back to the party.
"Vampires?" Zeladiel wonders.
"Linah will know for sure."
As Herne protests, Zeldaiel steps forward and breaks his silence.
"Yours is indeed a noble calling Assad Ashraf-Asim. You seek the destruction of these undead but you are not yet strong enough to destroy them. However, we are stronger than you. Do not think your surprise at the great skill and resilience of our first warrior was not noted. Together, we can defeat you, but more importantly, together we can defeat these hideous abominations. In fact, if you lend your strength to ours, and join us inside this unholy place then your quest may be fulfilled this very day. What do you say?"
He looks round at Khalid and Arasmes for support.
Something in the creature's bearing tells you that it is not completely closed of to Zeladiel's offer. Perhaps the way it raises its head at the elf's statement that its quest could be fulfilled.
Yet it appears unconvinced.
It responds to Khalid although perhaps it answers both elf and inquisitor.
THEIR LEADER WAS A PALADIN OF THE DAWNFLOWER, FADIYAH AL'QIRYM WAS HER NAME. ALLTOGETHER THERE WERE NINE. WE SPOKE ON THIS VERY SPOT AND I ALLOWED HER ZEAL TO CONVINCE ME. THAT AND HER BLADE. DAWN'S SWIFT BURNING WAS ITS NAME, A HOLY SWORD THAT SHIMMERED IN THE SUN.
SOMETIMES I WONDER IF IT WAS MY OWN SELFISHNESS THOUGH. MY DESIRE TO HAVE MY DUTY ENDED. I ALLOWED HER INTO THE OASIS AND NOT ONE OF HER GROUP EVER EMERGED. NOT ALIVE.
The past means little...we have vanquished Karrrdswann and the Carrrrion King and will do what we need to herrre.
Help us Guardian and we will rrrid the Oasis of it's currrse for all time.
"I do understand your concerns, and I honor your sevice here but I am not free to turn away. At least not now that I know a sister of mine is trapped in the oasis, along with her companions. We both serve the same cause. Before you stands seven able souls. My companions and I have faced great evil and prevailed. With your help we can end this terrible evil and bring peace to those who has fallen because of it." Linah pauses for a moment then says "I plead to you, do not turn us away."
Linah's impassioned plea seems to move the lammasu but the priestess is not done, telling the creature simply without embelishment of your struggles and victories including your battles with the undead. The priestess have never been so eloquent and when she is finished the creature faces her silently for a long moment before a wide smile forms on that oddly placed face.
PERHAPS NOW IS THE TIME, THE DAY THAT THE CURSE WILL FINALLY BE LIFTED.
The lammasu throws back its head and roars, the sound reverberating over the flatlands and provoking another round of terrified reaction from the far off animals.
VERY WELL WARRIORS. YOU SHALL HAVE YOUR WISH. AND MORE, FOR THE LION OF FIVE HEAVENS WILL FIGHT AT YOUR SIDE!
NIGHT WILL FALL VERY SOON. IT WOULD BE SAFER BY FAR TO PREPARE AND EMBARK WITH THE DAWN BUT BY THEN ANY CHANCE OF SAVING THE BOY WILL BE LOST.
SHALL WE GO?
The lammasu seems to know the answer already.