As Sebastian had already found out earlier, there are a few warding stones glowing with amethyst drow runes to the left and right of the cave entrance.
The ghost tries to put one of her feathered arms through the barrier to take the ring, but as soon as her fingers touch the barrier, there is a hissing sound and the ghost moans wrathfully - however she does not turn her eyes away from the ring.
As Winter retrieves the ring that the ghost at the lighthouse gave to him, she realizes that this must be the wandering soul's lost love that he spoke of, and has hope that perhaps things will start to go their way if Winter can soothe the bird-girl's tears.
Sebastian squats down near one of the warding stones. "Perhaps if the warding stones can be moved it might weaken the bonds. The Drow were in fear of her. With this ring perhaps we can get her to do a favor for releasing her...you know, get at those that penned her up for old times sake before she sails off to her Cliff of Wailing."
"Then lets get those stones removed."
With that, Winter takes stock of what tools and implements are available that could be used to crack or damage the wards and then sets about seeing them crushed.
"Lets get her free, I promised a ring would be returned, and I will see it so"
You're all loco loco, white man. Aron mutters but grabs his earthbreaker and begins to pound the warding stones. The weapon bursts purple sparks out of the stones and while Sebastian would have recommended to dispel the magic, Aron's magic weapon will do the trick also.
After some heavy blows all warding stones are reduced to rubble and the invisible barrier falls away.
Slowly, Virashi's ghost comes nearer, her gaze fixed on the ring in Winter's hand.
Kabal's chuckle at Aron's perceptive remark about the party died before it started when the apparition approached Winter. His hand clenched the hilt on his sword and he prepared himself for the worst.
Bree's hands restlessly adjust their grip on her weapons as the ghost approaches Winter.
"I bear news of your lost love, he has passed, yet his restless spirit yearns to be with you. He waits at the lighthouse, hoping you will return that you can continue together for an eternity. I have this token from him to present to you so that you know what I say is the truth."
"I would accompany you back to him, but first I must tend to the drow who would see much more hurt and death sewn upon this Island, but I will check upon you both before I depart, I shall be victorious over the Evils here, so I shall be honouring that pledge."
He extends out the ring, encouraging her to take it with a warm smile.
You are not sure if the birdmaiden understands, or even listens to you, her gaze is still fixed on the ring. Slowly she takes the precious gem out of your hand
Yaris...where have you been all that time?
she whispers, before her gaze suddenly hardens. She looks over Winter's shoulder and begins to sing a luring song.
Meanwhile, Aron steps next to Kabal and mutters
Feck, she's a siren...
The song gets louder and as the stones around you begin to vibrate suddenly the shadowy form of the demon appears in the centre of the cave. The creature looks dazzled and as Virashi's song suddenly reaches a crescendo making the whole cave shake, the demon explodes into a cascade of black energy that quickly dissipates.
"Blessed Varashi, it is time you went to your love who awaits your return"
Winter watches to see she leaves, indicating to his friends to make ready.
His smile is a mile wide, and he appears rather thrilled at how things have turned out.
Virashi nods, she slowly walks back into her cave where her ghostly body begins to dissolve...
Mercus is the first to speak after the birdmaidens departure
And now she's with Yaris? Cool, I guess then they needed the ring to find each other, huh? Now, without their shadow monster the drow are a breeze, eh?
"Without the Demon the Drow are still full of treachery and lies and would just as readily cut our throats given one small slip on our behalf. That Demon is just one more piece off the board; an important piece, but only one nonetheless"
Mercus nudges Kabal
Did he just say that we're winning or losing now?
Aron steps next to Winter and peers into the cave
Shall me and my men accompany you now?
"If you feel like testing your blades against Drow steel then you most certainly may do so, you are free to vanquish Evil should you choose. Be cautious though, and understand the foe we face. I would caution you though that I cannot guarantee your safety when steel starts swinging"
Heh, you sound like my old man - just more sophisticated, heh.
Aron weighs the earthbreaker in his hands and then points at the dark tunnels ahead
Who's gonna scout?
"Either your lot leads or your lot follows, I'd recommend you follow"
Sure
Caterine observes the full exchange in closed mouth caution and wonderment. Once both demon and siren depart she snaps back to readiness and takes her place, ready to do her part. The knowledge that their back will be covered by Aron and his men assuages some of her worry.
Bree heads out a ways before the group, creeping along, looking for signs of traps and enemies.
Bree takes the lead again and soon you reach the crossroads again where you encountered the demon on your first visit of the cave.
Winter indicates to the North.
Mercus nudges Kabal
Did he just say that we're winning or losing now?
Aron steps next to Winter and peers into the cave
Shall me and my men accompany you now?
Kabal replies to Mercus.
We're winning as long as we're still standing and able to hold a sword. He's just reminding us to not let our guard down. So stay sharp and keep your steel ready.
Bree heads North and Winters word.
Kabal looked around and couldnt figure why the rest of the bunch were smiling and sometimes...humming? id swear they're all humming songs...what the feck is wrong with us when we start humming while hunting drow?... He shook his head to clear it and scanned the darkness intently.
Perception -
Caterine languishes in the midst of the pack, and follows as is her task... I hope the cave opens up soonish, not much room for whip-work...
Bree leads northward and is able to glimpse into a room:
Six net hammocks supported by ornate metal frames made level by stacks of stone stand around the edges of this cavern. To the west, a leather curtain hangs over an exit, through which the sound of churning waves rumbles. A ledge to the south rises twenty feet to a second passageway there, while the ceiling itself arches to a vaulted height of forty feet.
From behind the curtain you can hear hissed words in the tongue of the drow.
Perception -
Kabal's brow furrowed in frustration as they had yet to see any drow and he was getting... gods damn antsy... to kill some drow.
Bree moves her body so that she can whisper stand on her tiptoes and whisper to Kabal, seeing as he's the first behind her, telling him not only what she has seen but that she has heard the drow whispering behind the curtain as well. She tells him to tell Winter, since Winter is behind him.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Perception
Winter nods to Bree that he heard it too.
He silently raises his sword aloft and looks to the rest of the group, making it clear that it is time to fight.
Winter moves to the front, and prepares to enter the room.
Caterine stretches her arms to make sure they are limber and nods back to Winter.
Sebastian recalls some of his advice from their previous encounter with the Drow. But he holds his tongue till the fight starts.
"Draw them from the shadows where they will have an advantage on us."
The drow soldiers behind the leather curtain react like experienced soldiers, in split seconds they have their weapons in their hands, ready to surround Winter.
Rd1:
Kabal
Sable
Drow
Winter
Sebastian
Caterine
Bree
With a growl Kabal stepped past Winter and slashed at the drow waiting for his death.
Power Attack Drow at AD-15 -
Damage -
While Sable presses his body to the cold wall, Kabal pushes past Winter and hacks at the drow with brute force. Smashing the nimble defender's weapon aside, he opens his opponents defence and hits his shoulder.
The drow hisses and spits at Kabal, he and the others quickly surround the large fighter
While his three companions dance around Kabal, the last one decides to take out Winter
Rd1:
Kabal (resolved)
Sable (resolved)
Drow (resolved)
Winter
Sebastian
Caterine
Bree
R1
Winter takes a swing at the Drow, clearly not so clean a shot.
Attack
Damage
Round 1:
Caterine steps to a better vantage, releasing the coils of her whip as she does. She then sends it lashing past Winter's ear to break across the sword arm of the drow there...
...Caterine follows up with a flatly stated "Time to die drow" in Undercommon.