Marzela swings again.
"This thing is almost done. One more push guys!"
As one elemental fizzles out of this plane of existence the other continues to strike.
Millsy continues to snap at the elemental careful not to hit the creature, just enough to provide openings for Carrakas.
Finnrick moves up next to Marzela (north of her], drawing his scimitar as he does and takes a swing at the creature.
He only does thus if he notices that other times people have moved into range it didn't attack them. (provoking AOO from reach)
He only does thus if he notices that other times people have moved into range it didn't attack them. (provoking AOO from reach)
Carrakas gathers up his power and gives another swing with his hammer.
As the fire elemental dodges blow after blow from the various creatures, it makes a move to strike at Finnrick as he starts to move closer. Just at that moment Millsy and Jaed team up to trip the creature, causing it to fall right into Carrakas' might swing. As the elemental's flames begin to disperse, he seems surprisingly unfazed, letting out a crackling laugh as it returns to the plane of fire.
After a brief moment of rest, the group then moves on, continuing north for several minutes. Occasionally glimpses of some light source can be seen far off in the distance, the light being carried an unusually long distance by the reflective gold covering everything. However, just as quickly as it appears, it seems to disappears. The direction of the source seems to vary, meaning either the cultists you're following have split up or there are more things than just them in these ruins. Despite this, the short walk is uninterrupted. Soon the group is gazing upon another intersection just like the first. An identical channel untouched by gold encloses another 50 ft square area. The road continues once again in all the cardinal directions, more ruins sitting quietly at each corner where once buildings stood.
Marzela channels to heal everyone.
We should turn here so we can get to the inner circle. The only way in is around the circle to the north.
"Seems so. Let's go..."
Lily fluffs her cloak out loose so that she doesn't overheat in this place of molten gold and fire elementals.
"Probably more elementals and constructs... whoever built this place was quite sophisticated, magically speaking."
This time before stepping in to the square, Jaed manages to spot the runes carved into the channel surrounding it. The group avoids the square entirely, moving off the road and through the remains of that part of the city to bypass it. A couple of times various people could swear they see movement out of the corner of their eye, but each time they turn to look they are greeted with just shadows. It's a relief to get back on the road with at least some large, open area serving as a buffer from the group what whatever may lie in the shadows.
The walk is shorter this time as the group comes to where the map had shown a bridge crossing the canals. However, what remains only goes a few dozen feet before breaking off. Evidently some time between when the map was made and now the bridge had been destroyed. Given that the map had also shown beautiful, blue water in the canals, it was likely from before the city had been taken by Tar-Baphon.
How did the cultists get across? I have no spells that enable one to fly.
"So... any engineers in the room that know how to rebuild a bridge?"
Carrakas shakes his head. "Not much of an engineer, I'm afraid. Looks too big to jump, too. Should we circle around to the west instead?"
"I suppose so. I don't see any other options. And if we find some nice cultists we could even ask for directions."
As they circle around, Marzela keeps her eyes open for someplace they could cross.
Not seeing a clear way to cross the broken bridge, the group circles back West, carefully avoiding the intersection once again. The group had been walking for several minutes, and it was just beginning to look like the random lights and moving shadows were all tricks of the eye when a sudden clanging of shields and weapons resounds as a pack of flaming, gold-plated skeletons bearing golden scimitars rise up from the nearby ruins and advance.
With a roar, Carrakas charges forward toward the closest burning skeleton, forming an earthen hammer as he goes.
Marzela channels positive energy to harm undead.
Carrakas manages to easily smash the burning skeleton in front him, which then promptly explodes in a burst of fire just like in the forest, though his elemental resistances once again protect him from damage.
Finnrick pulls out his sling and attempts to hit one of the skeletons before it has a chance to move closer, but the rock bounces harmlessly off of its armor. Millsy takes up a defensive stance next to him.
Two of the remaining four skeletons charge forward to attack Jaed and Millsy respectively while the other two move closer.
While Jaed manages to evade his attacker, Millsy isn't lucky and only her preparation prevents it from being a truly terrible strike. A faint sizzle can be heard from both as the heat from the skeletons sizzle the hair on the two.
Any joy the two skeletons feel at burning their prey is short lived as soon they feel the sting of positive energy as Marzela touches her holy symbol and concentrates on bringing the light of Sarenrae to this dark, underground cavern. With a screech, the both shudder and start to look on the verge of collapsing.
Lily also unleashes a wave of necromantically-controlled energy tuned to force the skeletons away.
Carrakas grins as the skeleton drops easily at his feet. "I like these guys!" He gathers earth into him again, gathering his strength. Then he'll take a small step closer to the skeleton attacking Millsy, and another long hammer forms in his hands. He aims carefully, trying to make sure the skeleton doesn't hit the cat again.
He swings his hammer around, and keeps a close eye on the other three skeletons. "Come on then, bags-o-bones!"
Yeah, and I hate skeletons.
Not waiting any longer, Jaed attacks the skeleton next to him before taking a step back.
Marzela moves so that she will affect all the skeletons this time and channels to harm undead again.
She hopes they can finish them off with that, because she is worried they will need her channels for healing later.
Millsy was weary before but having been attacked she only wamts to take them out.
Finnrick however continues to fire his sling.
Lily channels her energy, attempting to get the one skeleton near her to flee. It, however, resists her will and merely gnashes its teeth together. It looks very menacing until Carrakas moves forward and smashes the already badly damaged skeleton in to shreds. Seeing her would-be target taken down, Millsy runs towards the skeleton that Jaed is trying valiantly to fight in vain. Just as Jaed steps back, she runs forward and trips the creature, who lands soundly on its bony behind as Finnrick's rock sails far over its head.
The skeleton then immediately stands up and attempts to claw at her, raking her side with its fiery talons.
Meanwhile its other two buddies charge in, one moving to join its companion fighting Millsy and the other heading towards Carrakas.
,
Both skeletons manage to get a hit on their targets, but one seems to do significantly more damage than the other. Nevertheless, heat washes over both from their flaming auras.
Seeing the creatures are now closer, Marzela once again focuses to channel positive energy at them.
"Millsy, be careful!" Even if he does not like fighting skeletons, the rogue quickly moves to the opposite side of their foe. He trusts that his reflexes will save him from a possible attack from the creature.
Once he gets to his destination Jaed attacks the skeleton.
Carrakas laughs as the skeleton closes ranks with him.
Before the skeleton can get too close, the tiefling takes the opening to hit it with his large hammer.
Growling at the persistent skeleton, Carrakas gathers his power in to him, and forms his hammer again for another blow.
Seeing just one more foe remaining, Carrakas gathers his power, then shoots forward 25ft toward the last remaining skeleton, appearing next to Millsy as he brings his hammer down.
Lily continues to focus her necromantic skills and channels power to repel the undead.
Jaed nimbly ducks around the last skeleton. Once on the other side, he aims carefully, seeking out a vital spot on the skeleton. He thrusts at it, and though he strikes the creature, the skeleton turns at the last moment, causing its armor to absorb much of the damage. Meanwhile Carrakas dashes forward once again, still high off of his 3 for 3 re-killing streak, he smashes the final skeleton, causing it to crumple to the ground.
After gathering themselves together, the group continues along their path, reacting yet another intersection. It's set up the exact same way as the other two, with a large 50 foot square and a small, gold-less channel forming the border.
Aware that they have almost come back to where they started, and out of ideas, Jaed turns to the smelly (and almost forgotten) Dusan Dremlock.
"Have you been here before? Do you know a way to cross to the upper ring?"
Carrakas examines the bridge for traps or any signs of weakness or collapse.
"I should probably head across first, just in case any more statues decide to appear..."
If nobody objects, and if there are no signs of traps/damage, Carrakas will begin to head across the bridge.
Jaed will follow close to Carrakas when everyone is ready.
Marzela follows Carrakas as well.
Dusan snorts. "Safe? Nothing safe here. The Darkness is every where. Best bet is to hide and mask self like I have done. That way they think you're dead, yes. But not too dead. Too dead gets eaten. Just the right amount of dead."
The group once again skirts around the square, avoiding stepping in to it, and continues on their way, now heading North thanks to the curving of the road. Soon you all reach where the road meets another channel of molten gold. Luckily, this bridge seems to be intact and in good condition. Like the first bridge you crossed, there are no signs of gold on the inside. Though unlike the first one, there do not appear to be any statues or remnants of statues. There do not appear to be any traps.
Approaching the bridge, the temperature rises as before, stopping just short of becoming intolerable for all but Carrakas, who doesn't seem especially bothered. As the group reaches the other side, there's a sudden blur of movement as something charges at Jaed. There's a flash of gold as a longspear is thrust at the rogue's chest. Though the blow lands, his uncanny ability to react to danger causes him to jerk to one side, lessening the blow to a certain degree.
Standing before the group, looking mildly disappointed that Jaed still stands is what appears to be an emaciated, horned humanoid. Its skin looks like slimy, glistening leather and is stretched taught against its skeleton, causing its bones to be easily visible.
If somehow you survive its initial attack, its skin is covered in a protective slime that will worm its way through your skin or corrode your weapon if you're not quick enough.
Be careful. I've studied this one. It's a Babau. Immune to electricity and poison and resistant to acid, cold, fire, and some magic. Cold iron and good-aligned weapons work well, and claws and bite are very dangerous.
Marzela readies her mace.
"What the..." are the only words that have time to leave Jaed's mouth before the longspear strikes him.
What follows is a quick reaction from the rogue. He circles the daemon and tries to pay it back with his sword.
Jaed moves closer, striking at the creature with his sword. There's a soft crackling as the blow strikes. The babau gives out a low chuckle as it takes a step away from the rogue and promptly disappears.
There's a brief moment of confusion before Marzela calls out that he seems to be in the ruins to the South.
"It's teleported!" shouts Lily.
Seeing how hurt Millsy is Finnrick sends her away and then begins to cast a spell.
Marzela walks to the end of the bridge and spots the Babau. She points it out to the others, and considers channeling, but decides to wait, trying to conserve their limited resources. Instead, she moves again, trying to get closer to the thing with her cold iron weapon.
"Great, now we are going to play hide and seek with a demon."
The rogue moves next to Marzela and prepares to attack if the babau gets in range.
Carrakas looks excited for a moment, as he prepares to move in against the new foe. His face falls, however, as the demon disappears. He yells out something in a language that is definitely not common.
"Coward! Stand and fight!"
When Marzela and Lily indicate where the demon went, he'll make his way over as quickly as he can.