"If there's anyone we can rescue, maybe we can ask for assistance. But..." Richard ponders. "The only servants I saw left with the Mayor. Everyone else seems to follow the Council, or they are devils themselves."
"We did meet an impressive devil made of bone. I recall its resistance to acid, cold and magic. It was immune to fire and poison. And weapon strikes... well, if you weren't blessed by the forces of good, you faced stiff resistance."
"It fled, didn't it..." Richard frowns. "I should buy more holy water before we return there."
"Holy water... Sure, I know a priest that can help us out. Maybe he can help us with some scrolls to bless your weapons and such? Can any of you cast those?"
Yeah that bone devil was something else. I am not sure we need to track it down and finish it off but should we come across it again or another of its kind we need to be prepared. I am unable to use to parchments but if there are any oils I will purchase however many we can find.
However our main goal is to make sure the pit fiend is not released from the manor. By signing the contract it gives myself and those with me some measure of authority down below the manor. Whatever happens we can’t give it to the council.
From my side, I can't really do much in terms of damaging anyone... Much less such enemy. - says Krayn, before continuing - However, if it's truly an outsider and not an undead, then it's likely susceptible to some of my arcane abilities. I'll be following your lead.
Noah listens and says "I can cast a spell that will cause the weapon I touch to become aligned. I can make a weapon good that may help with these devils. I can also make a weapon chaotic if that is necessary. I can also use any cleric scrolls."
Duke nods, chuckling slightly in the middle of Noah's comments. "A chaotic weapon sounds dangerous - I prefer precision and control myself! But yes, good to note. Might be necessary at some point."
"Well then, gentlemen. And lady." Richard grins as Sherix rolls her eyes. "I hope you rested easy. We're going right into the devil's maw."
It is about this time that you start to hear drunken singing coming from Mera's room.
I guess the wine is kicking in! Arael says with a smile. I have your rooms ready if you want to rest up or if you want to go back out, I can heal you of your remaining wounds and provide restoration if you require it.
I believe I am ready to continue on should Richard think he is up for it. Frankly I am not sure how much time we have as the Council seems rushed to free that devil.
He fills the others in on the rest of the discussion that he had with the mayor...
"Ah, I looked forward to a nice hot bath. But maybe the devils will provide heat of their own." Richard laughs. "I don't think Mera or Edric will be available. Poor Edric. You three will have to do!" Richard's laugh is cut off when Sherix elbows the side of his head.
"Ow. I'm kidding, Sherix. Duke, Noah, Krayn- your assistance is appreciated. Once Arael helps us get back on our feet, I'll buy some holy water and then we will go straight to the Lord-Mayor's Manor."
"Yes, I'll stand with you. This sounds far more fantastic, and dangerous, than I would have thought, but clearly we need to hold the line to avoid major catastrophe. Richard, I will go with you and stock up on holy supplies as well."
Thanks, Richard. And I agree with Duke - it all sounds beyond what I could have imagined, but I'll glad dig into it unto the end.
Noah stands and says, "I am ready to go when you are. The sooner this disaster is averted the better I think."
"Ah yes, the Marrowfell." Richard points to a bag at his hip. "We found this concealed in a tomb of vampires and undead. Emphasis on concealed."
"It's extremely powerful, capable of obliterating undead, blinding the living and frying them outright. Including us, I'm afraid. Try to cover your eyes if I ever reveal this."
Tal tries to put it into words a different way. Think of the sun compressed into a tiny object that when Richard allows it bursts into all its glory. Great for taking out shadows but it does give you a nasty sunburn when that happens.
Also I don't know if this is fantastic or not but we have a city that is depending onus whether they know it or not and loved ones that we must protect at all cost.
Leaving the safe house and heading back to the former sight of the Lord-Mayor's manor, you encounter the Captain and two other dottari.
He laughs when he sees all of you.
Hey! Look! It is two of the ones that ran screaming outta here yesterday calling for their Mommies! Looks like you brought some more of you today. What happened to the other two. Are they home wetting their beds.
After a few seconds of laughter and jeering, he turns serious.
I thought yesterday would be enough to scare you away. I don't think I'll be letting you in today. My patrol found three dead bodies that were killed by weapons and not the explosion. You wouldn't be responsible for that would you?
Another day, another meeting with the Captain.
Hmm, murder is frowned upon, even in self defense.
"You're right, two of my friends said they wanted nothing more to do with this. A shame."
"Three bodies? What is going down there? The Lord-Mayor told us we were exterminating rats and collecting his remaining supplies." Richard ponders.
"Now, those other cleaners said they were going to steal from the Lord-Mayor and I laughed. Warned them greed gets you nowhere, compared to hard work. But one pulled out a rapier and told me to back off! Me and my friends left them alone. They must have skewered each other."
Richard sighs. Mostly to keep up the act but also because he remembers the thieves he almost convinced to come clean. Almost certain the dottari found their remains.
"But I brought new allies with me. We're rearing to go in and complete the job. And stay away from any murderous types."
Sherix grins. "Thieves' honor ends as soon as they see gold."
Krayn doesn't say much, but stays in the back with his arms crossed and a stern scholarly expression, trying to give more legitimacy to Richard.
What Tal would really like to do is take the captain aside and smack him a few times with his sap or hog tie him and leave him for a shadow or any number of other painful situations. Instead he simply inquires softly, Oh really? I am surprised. I thought after the last conversation we had you made it quite clear that you weren't going in to search for any survivors and that you were just going to hang out here at the barricade. Too bad as if you would have joined us you could have heard the Lord Mayor himself giving us orders.
Seeing as we have met the Lord-Mayor and that he has given us orders himself which, I believe, outranks you, we will continue our search from yesterday.
diplomacy aid
It looks like the others have this conversation well in hand, so Duke Dixon just stands back, trying to look intimidating but not pushing the issue yet.
The Captain eyes Tal skeptically. I find it hard to believe that some thieves would give that one trouble.
He then nods and one of the dottari produces a bugle and blows three notes-LOUDLY!
The Captain smiles. There! That should do it! I am sure whoever or whatever is in these ruins heard that so that should give them plenty of warning to steer clear from you.
Him in the other dottari laugh.
You may proceed!
Great, now they know we're coming. Richard maintains his smile. "Thank you kindly, Captain. I'll make sure to give the Lord-Mayor the good word when he returns."
Back on this miserable courtyard. New allies. "Where should we go next? Did we finish exploring that side with the Shadows, Tal? Maybe we should clean that place up some more."
"Guess that saves me the trouble of announcing myself..."
The top part of the building was cleared out before we left. All that we had to do is head downstairs. We cleared out most of the outer buildings as well so let’s make our way to the stairwell.
Tal takes point with Duke. We didn’t encounter many traps but keep your eyes peeled. Once we get into the second level who knows what Croseal has prepared for us.
"Understood. Let's tread carefully. "
The compound is quiet - too quiet.
You make your way through the ruined manor with Richard and Tal pointing out what they encountered before. You get to the room that was the Library, which was the room before you get to the room that had the shadows. The door to the library is locked.
It is a five-foot door.
"Is anyone good at unlocking doors?" Richard uncoils his whip. "I'll stay behind Tal."
Noah looks at the door and shakes his head, "I don't know anything bout locks. I can fill in the line wherever needed."
Duke pulls out a wand, shakes it and tries to make it cast Mage Armor on himself.
"Allow me. Skill I picked up on the streets, although I don't condone breaking and entering, it is sometimes quite useful..."
"I'll poke my head in to do a quick check, and then you can barge in the door. That way, I can stop you if I sense a trap."
Setting his shield should there be some foe on the other side of the door Tal prepares to enter the once cleared out room.
Perception as well
Staying a little behind, Krayn observes as the Humans work on the lock and prepare to open the door.
As Duke opens the door and looks in, a tiefling woman says, Ah! My dominated Captain let me know you were coming! She drinks a potion and disappears.
With that, four bolts come right to Duke!
Only one find their mark!
The thief shoots another bolt at Duke!
As the arrows come flying, Duke Dixon twists and dodges, managing to avoid all but one that clips him in the shoulder. Grimacing with pain, or perhaps just annoyance, the man steps in to meet his attackers.
Duke starts pummeling the one on the far right. Despite the creature's less than corporeal body, the magic of his amulet helps let the man connect a bit.
Richard target the shadows again. Noah and Krayn target them as well. They are our first priority.
To put actions to his words Tal steps forward to keep the thieves penned in the room while he lunges at the shadow that Duke struck.
power expertise attack magic for
iterative for
AC:33/16/27
Duke pummels a shadow while Tal misses the same one!
You hear a spell being cast.
Three thieves fire bolts at Duke!
All three miss!
Two of the shadows reach out for Tal!
"Did you want me to pull out the big-"
"ThunderCougarFalconbird."
Richard shakes his head. "Oh, that's not good." Richard fumbles for the Marrowfell, even as his thoughts bounce between that woman's bedroom, Mera shoving her bosom in his face and Sherix slapping him upside the head. It's better to do it now before the shadows feast upon him.
Richard reels back as he raises the artifact from the bag and its divine power overwhelms him.
"Eeep!" Sherix shakes the confusing thoughts from her mind, even as she dives for cover and evades the Marrowfell's worst effects.
She casts Daze upon one of the archers and she flies away from Richard (To the SouthEast corner of the room), looking for whomever cast that spell...
Noah blinks and stands with glazed over eyes.
The warlock shakes his head, avoiding the confusion. He tries to focus on the sounds of the spellcasting. He assumes his Elven Style battle stance.
... And then, finally, casts glitterdust centralized in such spot, trying to avoid it from hitting his companions.
He completes his action by moving behind the wall to avoid being targeted by the bolts.
Richard unleashes the power of The Morrowfall!
Three of the shadows dissipate!
All the thieves scream in pain, three more so than others!
Noah begins to beat himself causing blood to run down his face.
Reflex
Will
Krayan spell sprinkles glitterdust but there is no form in the dust.
Noah hits himself!
Thanks to Sherix, the thief can't move.