Nilus joins the fray, cutting a deep slash along the creature's thorax.
Confronted by three tantalizing edibles, the spidery creature focuses it's gleaming eye on the one whose armor lays in pieces on the ground around her.
With speed amazing for it's size, the demon bites and claws at Iona...
It's horrible maw of mandibles and chitinous teeth slams into Iona, gnashing and tearing. Iona feels a horrible burning sensation at the point of that horrible wound, the flesh there withering , melting , rotting! One of it's claws also scores a hit, gashing Iona's leg. She manages to interpose her shield to prevent the other claw from doing similar damage.
Milamber will move into the room to get an unobstructed path to the other enormous spider. He ends up just north of his ally Aladir. He casts Scorching Ray at the enormous sized creature.
Milamber hurls magic fire at the demon, but only one of his rays penetrates the creature's chitinous carapace!
Initiative
Milamber
Aladir
Iona
Nilus
Creatures
Hyram
Nilus continues assaulting the demon with Rose's Stem
The elf continues to hammer away at the remaining spider weird with his arrows, intent on bringing the creature down before it can do further harm to Iona.
Then keeps on firing as many arrows as he can!
Milamber hurls magic fire at the demon, but only one of his rays penetrates the creature's chitinous carapace!
Initiative
Milamber
Aladir
Iona
Nilus
Creatures
Hyram
Milamber's firey rays strike the spidery demon full on, raising smoking pits in it's hard carapace!
Each of Aladir's arrows strike true, sprays of viscous, stinking ichor emerging from where the missles penetrate. The demon screams and thrashes in it's rage and pain!
Iona winced as the creature bit into her flesh. However her body fought back the venom, and the cleric fought on.
Radiance cuts through the spider-demon's carapace like it was butter, sour smelling ichor spilling out onto the crystal strewn cavern floor.
The creature, mortally wounded, emits a screech twin to that uttered by it's deceased brethren, then falls to the floor, appendages twitching violently, then shuddering to a sudden stop.
Then all is still, but for the slow clink of the occasional crystal falling from the encrustations on the walls.
Milamber will take a quick look to see if the huge spiders dropped anything useful.
"It looks like there is an opening we can check next." he says as he points to the southeast corner of the cave.
That was a tough battle. Is everyone all right? the Inquisitor says, specifically looking at Iona.
With the creature falling into its deaththrall, and the other spider having been dealt with Iona relaxed, and in doing so felt the pain surge through her body.
The venom of the creature had burned through her and though her body fought it, there was no doubt to those who looked upon her that it had left an impact. For she was much paler than when they first entered this place. Her breathing is heavier.
The vestments of Iomedae, of purest white and glorious gold, had become stained crimson with her blood and matched the cloak she always wore. Without her armor her natural form was made clear. A body formed by training, by a life of preparation both spiritual and physical… seemed rather small without all that metal. Bulwark of Victory and Radiance in it's new form however still seemed at home. One could hardly picture the priestess without the shield at all and the blade it seemed had made its choice.
"I will recover…" Iona answered through heavy breath. "That said," she took a pause to breath "I must take a moment to heal, and gather my armor… putting it on properly shall take, me time."
After a moment, Iona closed her eyes and her birthmark began to glow. "Calling upon Aroden's then-herald Arazni, Iomedae convinced a regiment of mortally wounded knights at the Second Battle of Encarthan to stay their ground against a horde of wraiths until reinforcements arrived at dawn to rescue them." The words of Iomedae's Fourth Act flowed from Iona as the warmth of her divine power filled all close to her, calming any wounds they had including her own.
The damage of the spiders slowly began to heal as if they had never been there, but the markings through her vestments and the blood of hers that they had spilled was a reminder of what had happened.
After taking the time to heal what damage to her body she could, Iona returned Radiance to its sheath and made her way to where her armor had been cast off to. Donning the full-plate would take some time but there wasn't a chance Iona would leave it behind. Though it would go faster with more hands.
Aladir shivers slightly when he recalls the body slam the spider had given him. "I'll well enough, for my part. A little bruised from that spider dropping on me, but no more than that. The healing from Iona will have more than taken care of it, for which you have my thanks. " the elf answered, giving her a nod of gratitude.
"Let me know when we're ready to move on. I'll scout that tunnel out before we head down it." he added, ready to turn his invisibility back on when they were all ready to continue forward.
Nilus raises his glaive in salute to the party
Only the foul venoms of the demon sap my strength. I will persevere though.
Not finding anything of value from the enormous spiders, Milamber takes a moment to gather himself. After a quick check, he comes to the assessment that the divine magic from Iona has closed all his wounds. Impressed with her skill, he replies to Aladir "I'm ready to press on."
Aladir moves forward and sees that the cavern complex continues to the south. However to the east the ground drops away into a lake of what appears to be boiling purple lava. Crystals form on the churning surface below only to be swiftly absorbed back into the mass. The lake curves around out of sight to the left.
Beyond, two passages beckon...
Hurrying back to the others, Aladir wills himself visible again reporting. "The cavern floor drops on the east side of the next chamber, and there's some sort of...boiling purple lava or something. Never seen anything like it."
You do notice that the air above the 'lava' shimmers, not just from the heat. You think there are dangerous vapors emanating from the 'lava', making any entry even more dangerous.
"This is the abyss, I imagine there are going to be a lot of strange things we have never seen before. I propose we take the strategy of:
Unless it is trying to kill us or is required to prevent the alliance we don't want to happen, we ignore it.
This lava seems to be something we can ignore, but since you were invisible, we won't know until we all pass by.
Everyone ready to move past this lava and check out the other passages?"
Yes! I agree Milamber. We have an important mission to complete. Let us not take any undue risks that would prevent us from accomplishing it.
"I would also urge caution, even near to the stuff. There's some kind of shimmery effect in the air around it, and I don't think it's from the heat. There might be some kind of toxic fumes coming off it."
Thus cautioned, Aladir moves ahead into the winding passages, seeing naught but crystals and the occasional dead end. The only other interesting element was a pool of vile green colored liquid found in a small alcove.
Finally the exit is found, following the odd light, all emerge to see a small clearing surrounded by thick strangely colored foliage. A small trail leads into the jungle before disappearing.
Looking up, the cave sits at the base of a towering spire of black rock that disappears into the sky. Looking out , the land drops away and other spires can be seen dotting the landscape of what appears to be an island, surrounded by a dark sea.
In the midst of the jungle, ruins of stone structure jut up, the largest of which lays nearby, it's crumbling spires clearly visible from the cave exit.
Above an unusually large moon fills the sky, illuminating the land with a not-quite-sun-bright light. The sky itself is an inky black, interspersed with ribbons of deep purple that fade in and out.
A flock of bird-like creatures burst from the jungle some distance away, and for a moment one could believe they were looking out over a forest in Golarion...until the reality of the situation re-asserts itself and the viewer realizes that the flock is of some sort of large demonic winged creatures. And that the jungle is sure to be full of such...and other dangers.
Looking around at the environment after they exited the crystal cavern, Milamber realizes just how strange and different the Abyss really is. The normally soothing evening sky dotted with stars is non-existent here.
Not what I expected when I agreed to take on this mission for the Queen, but I will have to steel my nerves against the differences here. This is just the beginning of the strangeness we will face and I must be prepared for anything - no matter how unsettling and different.
Now that we've emerged from the caves, how do we find this demon that we need to prevent from forming an alliance? And how do we manage to do that? What can we say or do that will change a demon's mind?
"Well, I am glad to be out of those caves, but this" Milamber gestures at the strange sky and black spires "is hardly an improvement."
Milamber looks around and tries to see if he can spot any kind of tracks or signs of activity that may provide them with a sense of direction to take.
"Agreed...I've always known the Abyss was different than the Material Plane, of course, but his is all far more different than I was expecting..." Aladir answers as he begins to help Milamber reconnoiter.
Hyram was not sure what he was expecting the abyss to look like, but he sure was not expecting this! He, too, will take a look around.
After about five minutes Iona was fully armored once more and moved to rejoin the group. "I apologize for the delay, but this armor isn't easy to put on alone."
"It is a perversion." Iona said to Aladir's comment. "A plane made form evil and pure chaos... As we know the creatures are not to be taken lightly."
"Apologies Iona. Next time you need assistance with your armor, please let me know. I will be more than happy to help you."
"Oh you've nothing to apologize for Milamber." Iona said with a thankful nod to him. "I didn't want to burden anyone with it, plus it does involve getting closer to me than some would prefer." She added, trying to explain why she hadn't asked for aid.
As everyone peers out into the unnatural world around them, they notice strange details : wisps of purple cloud appearing and disappearing in the twilight sky, likewise the stars tracking unnaturally quickly across the velvety backdrop, the nearby trees whose bark seems to squirm , large fruit hanging ponderously, simultaneously mouthwatering and disgusting.
Accompanying all of this is the cacophony of the creatures populating the jungle. Hoots and chirps sound a counterpoint to the occasional screams of rage and fear and agony. For now , these sounds remain distant.
Tracks are found in the greyish dirt, leading to an area near the jungle...where they disappear. Knowing that many demons possess the power of flight, it is safe to assume those that made the tracks took to the sky.
As Milamber follows the tracks, he occasionally glances up to the strange sky. The hairs on the back of his neck rise as an uncomfortable oppressive feeling washes over him. He takes a moment to focus his thoughts and recalls a conversation he has had with Aladir. He hopes the redeemed one - Arueshalae might have some knowledge of this Abyssal place and may be able to provide some assistance in how to proceed.
""Arueshalae, how do we find this Nocticula? Is there any guidance you can offer us?"
Arueshalae responds, "Ah you made it through the Rift! All safe , I assume?"
She then asks for a description of where the party has emerged. "Ah, you must be on the Island of Vaglar, a demon lord of jealousy, ruined cities and loss. You see, you are in the Midgnight Isles, the manifestation of Nocticula's will. Each Island in her realm is the corpse of some demon that thought they could bend Nocticula to their will...and paid for their presumption with their life! "
She pauses, then continues, "You need to get off of that island and make your way to Alushinnyrra, The Porphyry City. Nocticula's city is some 600 miles from where you are now, if my memory serves. While there are ships that ply the seas surrounding the Midnight Isles, I'd not recommend such a voyage. "
Again she pauses, "Your best method of getting to Alushinnyrra would be to teleport. If any of you have the capability, I can provide you with a detailed description of a location in the city..."
Milamber responds
"I can teleport, but not without error. It would improve our chances if I have a very clear image of Alushinnyrra. Is there any way you could assist me with that?"
Assuming Arueshalae provides him with the detailed description of the city and everyone is in agreement, Milamber will cast Teleport once everyone is ready.
"Arueshalae has provided me with the details of the city Alushinnyrra. I can take 4 others with me, we just need to maintain contact with each other."
"Then that means we needs to hold onto Milamber, and whatever happens, do not let go." Iona said as she stepped up and placed her hand upon Milamber's shoulder.