Quinn stands back as the others go about their work searching and deciphering the forge's mysteries. He glances at a few of the doors and halls around the forge central, but decides not to test his luck on his own.
You all spend a few moments to recover from the battle with the salamanders, and then look around. The Sword of Valor banner is not in this room.
Alikia looks at the forge, and putting together clues from Staunton Vhane journal, as well as her own magical knowledge figures out that the Forge can be made dormant, if a Dispel Evil and Dispel Chaos are cast on the Forge within a minute of each other. She figures that the Forge can be made into a Forge of Purification after she can study the journal in detail, and consult with scholars, both arcane and divine.
Hyram, disappointed that the Sword of Valor wasn't here, says grimly, I guess we should find this vampire!
"Agreed. I know I just put it away, but I get the feeling these holy arrows, not to mention the slayer, might see some use soon." Aladir states, returning his recently-drawn rapier to its scabbard to bring his bow forward again.
While Alikia and Ezro debate the translation of various symbols and the function of certain elements of the forge, Quinn spends the time in quiet meditation. Lady, I could use your aid, he silently implores.
A Hound Archon arrives, get its stats from the link, except HP = 54 (not 39)
As folks finish looking around, and Alikia and Ezro are discussing possible ways to turn the Forge to a goodly purpose, Quinn says a silent prayer to the Goddess.
Suddenly a golden light appears and then a creature steps thru, and remains bathed in the light for a few moments. "Sir Quinn, Iomedae has answered your prayer. My Lord, what task do you have for me" and the creature bows from the waist to Quinn.
"Greetings, honored servitor," Quinn bows low to the Archon. "This forge is artifact of terrible danger. We are surrounded by shadows in every direction," Quinn gestures towards each of the corridors. "Hold this room and send warning if enemies are coming to flank us. Slow them if you can, but flee if the threat is too great."
"As you command, Favored of Iomedae. I will need to place a spell on you, and any of your companions that wish to receive the message" replies the creature.
Quinn salutes the Archon. "As you say," he says, standing still for the spell to be placed upon him. "What is your name, soldier? he asks the planar being.
Quinn steps in sync with Hyram as they move cautiously down the northwest hallway. As they approach the door, Quinn casts a spell over himself
+3 vs traps
"I am Dimren Omreldron." and the Archon casts a spell on himself, Quinn and all others. "Whisper and I shall hear you."
At the northwest door, Aladir checks for traps, finding none, and listens at the door, and after hearing nothing allows Quinn and Hyram to enter first. This wide chamber connects with two small vaults to the east and west. All three chambers hold a variety of weapons and gear of varying quality, but many weapon racks lie empty, as well. You mark on you map that these weapons can be used to further arm the army and others. . Retracing steps back to the Forge, you head down the southeast corridor, and going thru the standard routine, Quinn and Hyram open the door after Aladir checks it. The room contains implements and tools for crafting and shaping weapons and armor lie strewn about the tables in this hexagon-shaped chamber. Another dead-end.
Finally moving to the southwest door, Aladir checks for traps, finding none, but he hears a low chanting in Abyssal. Perhaps four or five creatures.
Aladir listens for a moment at the door before telling the others about the chanting he hears on the other side of the door.
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Dimren Omreldron," Quinn repeats with a nod. "I am pleased to meet you, and glad to have your support."
Quinn follows Aladir and is delighted with the cache of weaponry. "If we keep increasing our stores at this rate, we will outfit an army big enough to take on the Abyss itself."
Let us introduce ourselves! Hyram says nodding at Quinn
vs Hyram AC 24
vs Quinn AC 24
Swinging open the doors to the room, you discover three demons, goat headed humanoid is covered in a mangy gray hide that only partly covers its gaunt but muscled frame, and the female demon succubus that escaped you earlier, and a female tiefling. The two women were doing the chanting, stop and scream at the three mangy demons "kill them" and both of them cast a spell, as the three mangy demons charge, with one attacking Hyram and one attacking Quinn, while the third blocks the entrance into the room.
Hyram is gored by the demon, while the other misses Quinn. Kiranda, tells Ezro "leave the citadel, and do not come back." The tiefling is concentrating on just casting her spell.
Hyram tries to deflect the demon's gore but is unable to. Angry, he says, I pronounce judgement on you all!
As he stabs his cold iron longsword into the demon.
Ezro feels the words creep into his mind, but he pushes them out, steeling himself.
"Hold your tongue succubus! You die here, today! Iomedea! Chain this beast to the mortal realm!"
Holding forth his holy symbol, Ezro calls upon the divine power of Iomedea, and tries to tether the succubus to this plane.
"I've cut through dozens of your kind," Quinn grumbles at the goat-headed creature in front of him. "At this point you're barely an obstacle."
Quinn proves his words by slashing quickly through the first of the demons. He quick-steps adjacent to Hyram, his eyes flashing gold as he cuts another slash across the second demon.
"Dozens plus two," Quinn smiles a wicked black-toothed grin at the final goat-headed demon.
"Geez, Quinn!" Aladir says with a grin as turns his bow on the final demon, nocking first one pair of arrows against the string, then another!
The final demon in the room is quickly pierced by four of Aladir's arrows and it joins its brethren in the Abyss!
Alikia's mouth drops open as she watches everyone cut through the goat headed demons. "Geeze guys save some for the rest of us, will ya?" she quips out making a split second decision between the two female casters.
Pulling out an iron bolt from a long forgotten project, Alikia points it at Kiranda and quickly recites a newly memorized incantation. As her invisible holds being to restrict Kiranda's movement, Alikia holds her breath as she watches the freed succubus attempt to overcome her spell.
vs AC 20
vs DC 21
vs Quinn AC 24
Hyram and Quinn take down the two demons in front of them, while Aladir using his bow takes down the third.
Ezro casts a spell, and a green ray shoots from his hand and Kiranda glows with a green light, and the cleric knows that she can not escape her just punishment now. Alikia also casts a spell on Kiranda, but the succubus shrugs it off.
Kiranda "Alikia, I don't want the lions to eat you, so run away and leave the citadel!" as you see three dire lions appear and run at you and your friends. Two run and jump over the crowd, landing behind Ezro and Aladir, while the other charges Quinn and pounces on him, clawing and raking him.
We will slay your minions then slay you! Hyram says as he nicks the lion.
Quinn launches an attack against the closest lion, determined to get to the spellcasters.
Taken aback by the sudden appearance of the lions, Ezro thrusts up his holy symbol, channeling the healing energy of Iomedea for his allies.
"Iomedea guard us against this demons trickery!" he shouts, turning then to face the lions slathering jowls.
Himself as surprised by the lions' appearance as everyone else, Aladir immediately calls on the golden power granted to the group, using it to give him a burst of speed, though intelligent enough to still attempt to tumble his way past the first lion, swift enough to hit him despite the burst of incredible speed.
When he vanishes from sight, his bow clatters to the floor at his feet...
...and popped back up 15 feet away and opposite Ezro, his rapier in his hand, using the last golden light to stab at the lion in front of him...
...and with the golden light faded, he still manages to stab at the beast twice more!
As Kiranda whispers her spell into Alikia's ear, for a moment it appears to work. With a surge of an eerie green light, Alikia shakes her head and scowls at the succubus. Taking a deep breath, Alikia weaves some magic of her own. Releasing a loud scream at the succubus, Alikia prays that some of her abilities manage to damage the demon. "I am not weak willed!" The conjurer spits out, glowering at the two demonic casters.
vs DC 17
vs Ezro AC 18 (2nd threat)
vs Ezro AC 18 (not crit)
Quinn attacks the lion directly in front of him, and wounds it severely, while Hyram puts it down. Ezro turns around so he is facing the lions, and calls upon Iomedae blessing to heal the wounded warriors, as he prepares for the lions attack. Alikia listens to Kiranda honeyed words, but her mythic power aids her in ignoring the sirens call, and she returns the favor wounding the demon slightly. Aladir, coming into his own with his mythic powers, drops his bow, seems to disappear and re-appear on the other side of the lion attacking Ezro, and with rapier in hand kills the creature.
The remaining lion attacks Ezro, but only the claws hit, one of them almost critically, and damages the priest. The succubus, once again casts a spell, this time targeting Hyram, "that armor just slows you down, you should take it off!" The tiefling sorceress moves into position, and casts a lightning bolt that encompasses Hyram, Alikia and Ezro.
Hyram hears the succubus' voice in his head. He quickly blocks it out. Foul demon! He shouts as he advances on her and stabs her with his sword.
"I think we've heard enough out of you," Quinn growls at the demoness. Nevertheless, it is the tiefling in front that bears the brunt of his attack.
"I'll deal with the lion, focus on the demons!" Aladir shouts to Quinn and Hyram, turning and...
...haphazardly catching his foot on a loose stone as he tucks into his combat roll, slowing him just enough to allow the lion a chance to strike before Aladir finishes the maneuver! When he rises from it, though, he is well able to respond to the lion's strike.
Ezro tries to bring his shield up to block the hits, succeeding in blocking one but the second blow comes from around his other side, digging into him. Piercing his armor and his flesh, he cries out in pain, the crimson blood staining his side.
"Iomedea! Lend us your strength! May we deliver upon your enemies their just destruction!" Ezro yells in Prayer, remaining to keep the lion engaged, clutching his side.
At the last he casts his bloody hand out, pouring more holy energy into air to heal his allies, his own flesh knitting.
vs Aladir AC 20
vs Ezro AC 18 (4th threat)
vs Ezro AC 18 (confirmed)
Ouch, 71 damage total on Ezro.
vs Hyram AC 24
Dang, wasted all the good rolls on Ezro.
Quinn charges the tiefling, while growling at the succubus behind her and damages her. Ezro, trying to keep the lion concentrating on him so Aladir can bring it down, casts prayer, which bolsters everyone with Iomedea grace, and then he quickly channels her healing. Alikia, watches Quinn charge, and steps out of the way of lion and watches for a moment before determining her action. Hyram moves up past the tiefling sorceress and puts himself in the succubus face, but does not have time to swing. Aladir tumbles past the remaining dire lion, exposing himself to an attack, but the lion just misses the tumbling rogue. Standing, and now flanking Aladir severely wounds the lion.
The lion, roaring in, gives all it has to bringing down the lightly armored cleric and hits him with all his attacks, including critically raking him.
With Hyram next to her, Kiranda sweetly whispers, "so good of you to come here" and attacks him twice with her rapier, but misses both times. Chorussina steps back, and casts a spell on herself, and she seems to shimmer.
With Ezro in bad shape after the lion's attack, Aladir grits his teeth, determined to bring the beast down and give Ezro some breathing room.
His first strike leaving the lion on its feet, if only barely, Aladir strikes a second time and, on his second hit, brings the beast down!
Blood pours down the clerics armor as he yells in pain at the onslaught of attacks.Holding his shield up, he tries in vain to block any of the attacks. Finally at his last, Aladir brings the beast down, affording him some space. Nodding his thanks to the rogue, he clutches his holy symbol tightly. Channeling Iomedeas power into his hand and into the holy symbol, and touching his chest, allows the energy to flow into him. His wounds begin closing slightly, as he takes a ragged breath.
"Thank you for your timely aid Aladir. Now let us press the witch."
Turning, he advances toward Kiranda, as his faith surges within him, and channels Iomedeas holy power to those around him.
Stepping over the body of the lion, Alikia narrows her eyes at the two female casters. Clearing her throat, she pulls out a stump of a candle and begins to chant in an angelic sounding tongue.
Die Demoness! Die! Hyram says between clenched teeth.
While the chamber they fought in remained in sharp relief, Quinn suddenly had some difficulty focusing on the tiefling in front of him. Rather than risk swiping at shadows, he elects a more straightforward approach by latching onto the mage's wrist and twisting.
"No escape for either of you, now," Quinn grins a menacing, black-toothed smile as he pulls the spellcaster in close.
vs Hyram AC 28
vs DC 26 = 10 +12 +4
Quinn, having trouble focusing on the tiefling, steps up and grabs the sorceress. Alikia begins to cast a spell that will take affect soon. Hyram stabs the demoness in front of him, wounding her slightly. Aladir takes two attacks against the remaining dire lion, and his second one puts it down, which allows Ezro who had been holding his shield in front of him to protect him from the creature, to cast a cure on himself, then move to a position where his channel affects all of the group.
Kiranda, knowing she cannot escape, swings her blade at Hyram, missing both times, while Chorussina attempts to cast a spell, and even with Quinn holding on she manages to accomplish the seemingly impossible task and disappears.
Your friends have left you all alone to die! Hyram says as he slashes the demon.