Aladir returns to the others after his foray out, describing the remains of the demons and drakes that he saw around the courtyard, as well as the four strange creatures that seemed to be guarding the area, beasts that looked like maggots that had long a long tail covered with suckered hooks.
Ezro makes a disgusted face. "These lands always have such wonderful creatures..."
Looking over to Alikia and Hyram, "Are you able to identify what that creature might be?"
Hyram frowns, Sounds like grimslakes. Nasty creatures. They use their jaws to penetrate you to the bone. They also constrict you with their bodies. Their scales are razor sharp so don't try and punch them! Hyram says failing at making the joke.
"So what's the best way to take them on? There's four of them there and it seems like we need to keep as much distance as we can."
"It sounds like they don't move around well. All those scales probably don't give them too much freedom. If we could create a barrier, or even just a few obstacles to impede them, we could kill them from afar," Quinn taps Aladir's bow.
"Or we could just make a beeline for the tower. From the top we could snipe them to our hearts' content. No telling what waits inside, though."
"We are following your vision," he says encouragingly to Aladir.
"Wait at the bottom of the stairs. I'm going to try and lure one or two of them out." Aladir says to the others, then wills himself into invisibility before moving back out to where the grimslakes are. Targeting the nearest of the creatures, he leans down to pick up small pieces of rubble to the ground near the stairs, hoping that the noise will draw one or two of the creatures. If he can bring them to the stairs and within sight of his friends, perhaps it will help create a bottleneck, allowing the group to focus ranged attacks against one or two of them instead of having to deal with all four simultaneously.
Hyram gets his hardly-used light crossbow ready. Anyone have any range spells he asks.
Quinn draws Radiance and prepares to step into the gap. "Aim true. I rather like my bones as they are..."
Quinn and Hyram station themselves at the bottom of the stairs. Ezro and Alikia next to them, but not in line of sight from the open area at the top. Aladir moves up the stairs and grabs some of the rubble, hoping at least one of the creatures will react to the sound.
The closest one, reacting to something, moves over to the top of the stairs, and seems to be searching for an opponent.
Watching for any movement, Alikia pauses for a moment before beginning to chant an incantation. Pulling out a candle, Alikia pulls out a small contract, hoping to call on some extraplanar aid to quickly dispatch the demons.
LG Small outsider (archon, extraplanar, good, lawful)
Init +4; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +4
Aura aura of menace (DC 15)
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DEFENSE
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AC 15, touch 11, flat-footed 15 (+4 natural, +1 size +2 deflect vs. evil)
hp 17 (2d10+6)
Fort +6, Ref +3, Will +0; +4 vs. poison, +2 resistance vs. evil
DR 10/evil; Immune electricity, petrification;
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OFFENSE
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Speed fly 60 ft. (perfect)
Ranged 2 light rays +3 ranged touch (1d6)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 3rd)
At Will -aid, continual flame, detect evil, greater teleport (self plus 50 lbs. of objects only)
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STATISTICS
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Str 5, Dex 11, Con 16, Int 6, Wis 11, Cha 10;
Base Atk 2; CMB -2; CMD 8
[b]Feats Improved Initiative
Skills Diplomacy +5, Fly +14, Knowledge (planes) +3, Perception +4, Sense Motive +5
Languages Celestial, Draconic, Infernal; truespeech
SQ gestalt
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SPECIAL ABILITIES
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Gestalt (Su) Nine lantern archons can fuse together as a full-round action, becoming a single Large entity that is more powerful than the individual archons that make up its parts. Looking like a whirlwind of dancing firefly lights, the gestalt has all the powers and abilities of a Large air elemental plus the following: archon, good, and lawful subtypes; archon traits (aura of menace DC 18); 2 light rays (2d6); DR 5/evil and magic. The archons can remain in this form for 2d4 rounds. When the gestalt separates back into individual lantern archons, its remaining hit points are divided evenly among them; if it had less than 9 hit points, some of the component archons die when the gestalt ends.
Light Ray (Ex) A lantern archon can fire beams of light to damage foes. These light rays have a maximum range of 30 feet. This attack overcomes damage reduction of any type.
Drawing the creature toward him, Aladir drops the invisibility when he is in sight of it but hopefully not any of the others. Once the invisibility is gone, he calls on his mythic power to rush down the stairs, getting comfortably far away from the thing before he turns and unleases his bow.
As Aladir backs out of the line of fire, Quinn launches Radiance at the creature.
Hyram will cast searing light at the creature.
Ezro holds back, preparing to heal any wounds his allies might incur if the creatures get to them, or to free any who might get constricted.
Aladir drops the invisibility and using his mythic power, ends up at the bottom of the stairs, turns and fires arrows at the creature, killing it.
Everyone else, pauses their actions and waits.
As the first one goes down, you can hear the others moving towards the stairs.
With the first grimslake dead, the others are obviously drawn to their fallen comrade. When the first one appears around the corner, Aladir fires another four arrows at it.
As the first one goes down, two more show up at the head of the stairs, and start down towards the visible folks at the bottom. As one gets near enough to reach out to Aladir or Quinn, Aladir lets fly with arrows, three of them wounding the beast.
Quinn waits patiently as the trap draws in the other grimslakes. He takes position at the bottom of the stairs to let the bottleneck do its job. As the first creature approaches, Aladir unleashes a barrage of arrows to soften it up. Radiance reappears in Quinn's hand with a flash of gold as he steps forward to finish the job.
As the nearest grimslake approaches, Quinn finishes it off after Aladir wounded it. The creatures are either really hungry, or really dumb as they continue to move up and attack the group.
As they move down the stairs, the one in the rear is suddenly peppered with two arrows from behind, damaging it.
Fluttering into existence, the small archon flits up to the top of the stairs before letting loose a beam of light however due to its over-eagerness it's shot goes wide.
Letting out a groan as her summon's attack fails, Alikia moves in front of Hyram and releases two beams of fire at the one on at the top of the stairs. Although both of Alikia's beams find their mark, the grimslake's natural defense appear to absorb all of the blow.
Aladir pauses a moment, a far-off look in his eyes. "South! Kill these two, then head south! To the tower stairs!" he calls to his companions, firing another four arrows at the nearest grimslake.
Hyram casts searing light at the grimslake.
Ezro keeps an eye on his comrades as the fighting continues, but seeing that the creatures are posing little threat, simply gives a small blessing to his friends that might help them a bit more should something larger come.
Aladir fires four arrows at the nearest grimslake, wounding it, while Hyram casts searing light and further hurts the creature, as Quinn puts it down.
Alikia archon attacks the grimslake up the stairs, but does not damage it enough to overcome the creatures toughness.
Arueshalae fires three more arrows at the creature still at the top of the stairs, but only wounds it a little.
Quinn dashes up the steps towards the final grimslake, but draws back momentarily as arrows pepper the creatures hides. "Your ally?" he asks the scout.
Without waiting for an answer, he dispatches the final grimslake.
"Nice plan," he grins his jagged, black teeth at Aladir. "Should've let you lead the way against the dragon," he rubs one of the remaining scars of that battle.
"I dunno about all that,now! And let's hope she is." Aladir answers with a grin back at Quinn.
The way now apparently cleared, Aladir rushes up the stairs toward the tower their benefactor is firing from. "Let's hurry. She's contacted me again and said the ground she's holed up in has been sanctified; it won't hurt either me or her, and hopefully none of you, but if it does, she's offered healing potions to any affected."
Hyram scoffs, So if we get hurt trying to get to her she will heal us? How nice of her! He then follows the others.
Moving up the stairs, Quinn dispatches the final grimslake and then he and the rest of you sprint over to the stairs. As you watch the succubus open the door and enter, saying "follow me, it will be safe in here" everyone excepting Aladir feels a small burst of chaos affect them. Following the creature up the stairs, into a small chamber, then up another set of stairs you come to a room that contains a large bell, that appears to be cast from pure polished silver. It is engraved with delicate runes around the bottom lip, and measures 3 feet from lip to crown and 5 feet in circumference around the bottom.
Once their, the succubus speaks, "I am Arueshalae. I escaped from the prison below Castle Drezen. Desna came to me in a dream, and I am following her ways. I rang this bell of Desna, and it provides protection from the demons infesting this place. I found a cache of healing potions that you can use if it has affected any of you."
"Aladir. Thank you for the assist with those grimslakes, and the sanctuary. I don't know if you were sending out an all-call or targeting me specifically, but I got your message about the danger you were in. Seems like you've quite a few enemies for yourself, if Staunton Vhane's journal was even half accurate. Though...I suppose the very fact that you can wear the Starsong's holy symbol should be testimony enough..."
"I tend to agree with Hyram. This has all the markings of the same trap we just sprung on the grimslakes." Quinn gestures to the corpses around them. "I follow your lead. But, I'll accept nothing from a succubus. Our own healing will suffice."
Quinn falls back, letting Aladir take the vanguard. He reels momentarily as the forbidding magic from the tower assaults him shrugging off the worst effects. "One merit for honesty. One demerit for wounding us all," Quinn grumbles as he climbs the steps.
Inside, he circles the bell without ever putting his back to the demoness. "Pretty, but untrustworthy," he says without any indication as to whether he was referring to the bell or the succubus...
Hyram is more than content to let Aladir deal with the demon as he examines the bell. Impressive. It seems that this is one of the seven bells of Desna. Hyram says as he looks closely at the bell. When you rung this, it is what is keeping the demons from entering. He then pauses, Present company excepted, I take it. He says with a glance at Arueshalae.
"So it keeps the other demons from getting in? That's handy, no doubt...any idea how long it will hold them at bay? Can we just ring it again if the magic begins to wane?"
Hyram rubs his beard. Unfortunately it can be only rung once a year, as far as how long it lasts...
Ezro follows the others and but as he steps up, sudden and intense pain grips his mind. Grabbing his head he steadies himself momentarily, instantly reacting to the trap he perceives the succubus laid. With his nose bleeding, Ezro grimaces and continues with the others.
"I hope we do not consider her an ally because she rang a bell. Any creature can simply pick up a holy symbol and vestments and wear them...how do we know we can trust her." Ezro does not speak quietly and intends for the succubus to hear what he is saying to the others.
"Hyram...you say that bell prevents demons from entering its presence. But Arueshaelae, you are a demon, are you not? So is it that the bell only prevents evil from approaching it, and not simply any demonic creature?"
Walking through the barrier Alikia shivers as a wave of chaotic energy wash over her, as it attempts to dissuade her approach to the tower. Watching the others react to the force field, she winches as Ezro reacts poorly to the energy. Following the others into the tower, she releases an impressed whistle at the immaculate bell. "Fascinating, I was unaware such artifacts still existed."
Turning her attention to the succubus, Alikia offers her a smile and a slight bow. "Well met, Arueshalae; I am Alikia. How can we help you this day?"
Quinn glances between Aladir, Hyram, and Alikia. One all too ready to trust the demoness. Another determined to run her through the gauntlet. The third simply indulging her intellectual curiosity. Radiance, still drawn from battle with the grimslakes seemed to offer Quinn's usual alternative. But, after a few tense moments, Quinn wiped the gore from the golden blade and sheathed it. There are other methods to cut to the heart of this matter, he thought.
Quinn focused in on the demoness, ignoring the bell and the surroundings. This was a power he used sparingly in these wounded lands. The danger of being overwhelmed by the scope of evil was real. But, focusing on one thing made it easier.
As the glowing impression of the creature's aura begins to flood his senses, Quinn is already weaving the words of a question through gestures of magic.
"Are you a true servant of Desna, foresaking the service of the demon lords, the cults, even yourself, and seeking redemption from evil?" Quinn asks under the power of the spell. "Speak truthfully or I shall know..."
Hyram stops trying to think of the way the succubus was able to bypass the hallow area of the bell, and smirks at Quinn. Yes! Do tell us that and how you were able to ring this bell... he purrs at Arushalae.
"Yes, I am, was a demon, but I was within the area when I rang the bell. And while I took some damage, I was more afraid it would dispel me back to the Abyss, but it did not. That was the final action that reinforced my belief that it truly was Desna that spoke to me in my dreams while back at Citadel Drezen."
As both Quinn uses his ability to detect evil, he finds none in the succubus. When he and Hyram cast a spell on her, you both feel that she is deliberately letting her defenses down, so the spells take affect. In answer to Quinn question, she simply replies "yes, I am."
Then still under the affects of both spells, she continues, "while I do not consider myself a good creature yet, I no longer feel the the evil. I am trying to redeem myself in Desna eyes. This is my journey, and I would like to travel with you and help you. Someday perhaps, your kind will forgive me for what my kind has done in this world."
Quinn shares a sidelong glance with Hyram. He shrugs. "Never met a redeemed demon."
Hyram returns the shrug. Me neither. Either she is real good at evading our spells...or she is telling the truth. Looking at the demon skeptically. All right. We will help you...for now!
Alikia offers a disgusted look at Hyram as he begins to taunt Arueshalae. It was surreal to see what she had been subjected to as a child play out again in front of her with someone she considered an ally. "The matter of ones appearance should not matter if they are trying to better themselves. Not everyone has unshakable morals or has been raised to believe the same thing. We should encourage and nurture this chance at redemption, rather than scoff and mistrust. Or did your Goddesses words fall upon deaf ears, gentlemen?"
Pressing her lips into a tight line, Alikia moves to stand besides Arueshalae, clearly aggravated about the interrogation. Glancing at Ezro, Alikia considers him for a moment. "What are your thoughts, Ezro? You seem to be holding your tongue on this matter."
"My thoughts are stated already. I told you as soon as I had the first vision of Arueshalae that I intended to help her, with or without assistance, and my mind hasn't changed. I'm glad to see that you both are willing to give her a chance to prove herself."
Turning his attention to the demoness herself, Aladir smiles. "So...I'm assuming that was your cell back at the citadel in Drezen, with the Desnan markings? I've never felt closer to Desna in my life than I did in that place. I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't curious about how you came to know her, though...when you feel comfortable enough, it's a story I'd love to hear."
Quinn snorts. "I am demon-blood," he says, by way of explanation.
"Desire for redemption is good. Following through with action is better. Tell us about this place and the forces arrayed against us."
Ezro softens slightly at Alikia's defense, but not entirely.
"I was taught that demons were made from the worst souls, they were constructed and born of evil. They had no capability of moral choice as those of mortal blood have. While Quinn has demon-blood, he also has human blood."
Closing his eyes and rubbing his forehead, he sighs, "But at the same time, if Angels can fall to demon-hood, what is stopping a demon from rising to good. Simply because I have not heard of this, cannot prevent it from happening."
Looking to the others and finally to Arueshalae, "I will trust you."
Hyram shrugs off Alikia's scornful look. It was not the first time he had been looked at like that and it won't be the last. Inquisitor's asked the hard questions and their methods at arriving at the answers were not always pleasant. They did what they did so that others like Alikia can sleep well at night.
I agree with Quinn. I will trust you, but if your actions betray you-or us. It will not be pleasant for you.
Responding to the questions and concerns of the group, Arueshalae says "Yes, that was my cell in Drezen. If you have been there, you must have freed it from the demons and Staunton Vhane. The Mercy Bell should be moved, after it is cleared of evil, and moved back to Drezen. I will tell you what happened after we clear this place out and move the bell."
"As far as this place, let me sketch out the layout for you and tell you what still awaits in this area. Guarding the south stairs there is a demon called a derakni, a horse size locust with a scorpion’s stinger and an almost-human face. Its front legs end in clawed hands. A hezrou demon near their, two bebilith demons, one in the northwest corner, one in the west. Their leader is Jaruunicka, an annis cleric. I believe they may preparing to come after us since you have arrived."