"Damn."
This is the first time anyone has heard Rackham curse since he was captured.
"I know what's happening. Some fiends can possess creatures and force them to do their will. The motivations of fiends are as varied as the demons themselves. Evil creatures are more susceptible to possession, but no one is truly safe.
They can also possess objects, and this is actually more common than possession of living beings. They usually do this of course to get to people who they intend to harm. When a fiend possesses you it can use you like a puppet, or just lurk inside your body hidden, whispering evil and nurturing your dark thoughts. They are also said to be able to warp your body, eventually synthesizing the form of the host with their own being. The products of this transformation are often hideous beyond description.
Possessors actually have a physical body, but unlike most fiends they are able to separate a non-corporeal consciousness from their physical self and travel, they usually keep their body hidden somewhere safe. If they possess a body long enough resistence becomes impossible and their control becomes permanent."
"...Why don't you just bugger orf?""What fun is that?"
"Alright, matey," he addresses the Ryor/demon being, "Wot yoo after then?""What does every flesh and blood man want? Adventure, fame, delicious young women..."
In an instant the fire comes back into its eyes, it clenches its teeth and the voice changes, no longer Ryor's - a low gravelly bass.
"...FREEDOM_SOULS!"
"If I was possessed of my full powers, I would return your black soul to the Abyss. However, I cannot. Therefore, I shall leave it to those more... qualified."
The old man turns to face Bodhan, murmuring in a low voice.
"No mercy."
Ian:
The old man turns to face Bodhan, murmuring in a low voice.
"No mercy."
"Yes. But we shall only kill Ryor, not the abomination. And it will follow us to the women and children."
<He pauses.>
"We must somehow bring it to the temple of Iomedae in Katheer."
<Bohdan removes a thin piece of charcoal and some paper and writes a note while the demon parlays with Cordoba. He shows it to Pulsifer and Aref.>
Puslifer & Aref:
"If I was possessed of my full powers, I would return your black soul to the Abyss. However, I cannot. Therefore, I shall leave it to those more... qualified."
<Still in the thundering deep voice, sneer, and eyes burning pits into its skull.>
"POWER. WHAT_KNOW_YOU_OF_POWER?"
<He seems to compose himself, dusting off his breastplate as if he tripped in the sand, and finally smiles again.>
"Ahem. Well, I guess I can't blame you for threatening an unfortunate creature that has spent an eternity locked in a potion bottle. You are, after all, just a gang of murderers."
<He turns away from the cleric and mages and faces Cordoba again - Pulsifer, Bohdan, Syd, Jon, and Aref have a moment to speak unheard.>
"I think I'll prefer your company to theirs Mr. Cordoba, at least you have an appreciation of my power and a sense of humor. And I respect your religion. Death, fate. She may be a b*~@@, sure, but at least people have a good reason to worship Pharasma, I mean she's coming for all of us eventually, right, and none of this mercy and goodness shit. She calls, you're a pile of ash. That I can dig."
"So where the hell are you guys headed? I mean I just ducked out for a minute and I noticed we're right crap in the middle of a desert and I was nowhere near a desert when Aroden's thugs came for me. Absalom, yah, I was in Absalom. I had my own cult, you know that, it was great - worshipers, golden chalices, silk sheets, intoxicants, aphrodisiacs, women, women, women.... The girls, I love them, Cordoba, I just can't stop myself around a beautiful woman, know what I mean?"
<Bohdan surreptitiously gets his things together. He whispers to the mages.>
"Let me take the gems and the gold, I'll split it between the kids and the Bhuka. You have the remaining magic items and the mithril. And you might consider that the Eye of Aroden will be of aid to you."
<Bohdan surreptitiously gets his things together. He whispers to the mages.>
"Let me take the gems and the gold, I'll split it between the kids and the Bhuka. You have the remaining magic items and the mithril. And you might consider that the Eye of Aroden will be of aid to you."
I agree and with the Bhuka you have enough power to get dem there safely. I will continue to hold the eye until we meet again. Perhaps you can investigate how to find this abomination's body to rid it from this world at the temple. Perhaps the Holy Ones at the temple can locate it by beseeching Iomedea herself for aid.
Go with care and may the desert wind blow soft and cool upon you.
To Syd: "Sydley, you need to carry some magic. I think you need to take the dead paladin's claymore. He's waited, he can wait longer."
To Pulsifer: "You understand we must allow this."
Jon: "There is still the one longsword to be claimed. When the time comes to fight the fiend you will need an enchanted blade."
<Bohdan pulls on his pack.>
To everyone: "Take him upstairs and I'll escape."
Jon:
Weapons that possess the alterable enchantment are literally able to change their form and type upon command. After undergoing this enchantment, a weapon’s form becomes blurred and indistinct, possessing a hazy or occasionally wavering quality. Alterable weapons can change from one weapon type to another at the command of the wielder, to a maximum of up to three distinct weapons, preselected by the crafter. Weapons do not necessarily need to be held to change form, but they must be in physical contact with the wielder. It will remain in whichever form it is left in. Obviously it is convenient to leave this weapon in a dagger form.
All the weapon types must be in the same size category in order for the change to occur. Minor alterable weapons cannot change from melee types to ranged types and visa versa. These weapons retain all magical enchantments and enhancements in all their forms, although qualities that apply only to specific weapon types (such as crushing, keen, or vorpal) do not function when the weapon is not of the required type.
Strong transmutation; Caster Level: 15th; Prerequisites: Craft Magic Arms and Armor, polymorph any object; Market Price: +1 bonus, 2300 gp.
Syd:
A defending weapon allows the wielder to transfer the sword’s enhancement bonus to his AC as a bonus that stacks with all others. As a free action, the wielder chooses how to allocate the weapon’s enhancement bonus at the start of his turn before using the weapon, and the effect to AC lasts until his next turn.
Moderate abjuration; CL 8th; Craft Magic Arms and Armor, shield or shield of faith; Price +2 bonus.
In the magical spoils there remains 2 potions, some arrows, and half plate that fits Syd or Bohdan.
"Go on... I am listening."
<Still aside from the others, talking to Cordoba.>
"Are you listening? I said where are we going?"
<Still aside from the others, talking to Cordoba.>
"Are you listening? I said where are we going?"
"Outside... a city with lots of beautiful women. But that can wait."
"Lets crack that library. I can't wait to see what they wrote about me."
Syd soberly takes the sword from Bohdan, "Fanks mate, yer a proper gent." Placing his hand on the other half-orc's shoulder, "Yer a good fella, not many like you round 'ere. Take care o' them kids, eh. And don't do anyfing I wouldn't do."
To Syd: "Sydley, you need to carry some magic. I think you need to take the dead paladin's claymore. He's waited, he can wait longer."
To Pulsifer: "You understand we must allow this."
"Yes. He's a good man. The paladin wouldn't mind."
"Yes. He's a good man. The paladin wouldn't mind."
Whispers: "Remember there are two reasons this creature was imprisoned, either he can't be killed, or they couldn't find his body. For our own sakes I think we must choose to believe the latter. Find out anything you can about him, once he is imprisoned again we can't question him."
"Yes. He's a good man. The paladin wouldn't mind."Whispers: "Remember there are two reasons this creature was imprisoned, either he can't be killed, or they couldn't find his body. For our own sakes I think we must choose to believe the latter. Find out anything you can about him, once he is imprisoned again we can't question him."
Whispered reply:
"I find dealing with this creature distasteful. However, it is a necessary sacrifice we must make to destroy it once and for all. I shall honor your request."
Jon: "There is still the one longsword to be claimed. When the time comes to fight the fiend you will need an enchanted blade."
"This thing angers me, but I will wait. My master has said I must study patience."
Jon nods goodbye to Bohdan.
"What are you morons whispering about over there? Planning on killing me? Come on! Bring it!"
Walks to Cordoba and the demon.
"Maybe I will kill you tomorrow."
What do you know of this complex, Demon? What lies where and are there any interesting areas we should know about?
We vish to explore.
"Well, the first time I saw this place was when whitey broke the prison open. After cleaver chopped me in the gourd I had a quick look around and there is a library right around the corner, although the doors are hermetically sealed and locked."
<Looks at Cordoba.>
"But Cordoba can get us in I'll bet."
"I can walk right in when I leave Ryor's body, of course, but I still can't read the damn books. Looks like some good stuff in there. Demonology, history, thaumaturgy, arcana. AAAnnnnnd some theology, all crap I'm sure."
I say we explore further but ignore de library until last....it isn't going anywhere and we will be spending a lot of time within. I vould like to make sure there are no further dangers within this complex before we hunker down to read.
Demon, you may follow along but do not get in the vay. I am sure you could possess another if we killed that body but some of us will have strong wills and even if you managed to keep possessing us eventually all the bodies could be used up, leaving you still trapped here. I assume that one of your form and function would die without a host to control.
Walks to Cordoba and the demon.
"Maybe I will kill you tomorrow."
"That's my line." Says the Deceiver with a crooked smile.
"Fool. I can return to my body any time I choose. And I can find you all again."
<A puzzled look crosses its face.>
"But that is neither here nor there. I can possess a wild animal, almost any creature. Before you came I was biding my time for that damned gem to weaken enough for me to break free and that sphinx was mine - until you guys gutted him. That's quite a mess out there by the way."
"That's my line." Says the Deceiver with a crooked smile.Walks to Cordoba and the demon.
"Maybe I will kill you tomorrow."
Jon glares at Cordoba.
Jon glares at Cordoba."That's my line." Says the Deceiver with a crooked smile.Walks to Cordoba and the demon.
"Maybe I will kill you tomorrow."
"What?!"
Jon talks quietly with Pulsifer.
"Maybe we can find the demon's secret in the library."
The crew pulls on their backpacks and heads out, with Ryor chattering away nonstop on all manner of vile and socially unacceptable topics. Bohdan follows along in the rear.
You walk the dogleg in the hallway north and look the doors and the well over. The doors have the same locks as the secret room, some kind of combination lock using metal rings that must be dialed into position. Ryor insists that they should be opened, that it’s a library and full of knowledge which he promises will make you unimaginably powerful. When you keep walking he almost begs that it should be opened, then curses, then threatens, but finally resigns and follows when everyone else starts trudging up the stairs – he complains all the way. At the bottom of the stairwell you find tiny broken bones. Bats presumably… cast down the hollow core of the stairwell by some predator up above no doubt.
The lights don’t illuminate very far in the circular stairwell and shadows cut strange angles up into the spiraling stonework above and below. A stone railing prevents anyone who is foolish enough to stumble from falling down the center to their death. You walk carefully, looking for signs of danger.
Up you climb, quite far, and as expected find landing and a narrow hallway leading out of the stairwell some 150 feet above the main floor. A gentle breeze blows through the hallway from the stairwell. Swinging in the breeze is a fine rope, which looks like it may be silk or perhaps Elven; it dangles down the center circling stairs, its frayed end stops at about 20 to 25 feet below the balcony level.
The hallway leads east, and another hallway branches off of it to the south.
Jon looks for tracks or trouble.
perception 1d20+3=23, survival(tracking)1d20 6=22
Jon finds some sand in the corners and along the walls as if blown there by the breeze moving through the passages, but there are no tracks. Looking upward in the middle of the stairwell he thinks he catches a flash of light, perhaps a reflection from the lights.
"There is something above."
"Well why don't you run on up and have a look for us."
<Makes a little running gesture with his fingers.>
"You want I will cut those fingers off?"
Jon scowls.
"If you guys need some privacy, we'll go back the other way."
"Go ahead, oaf. Make my day."
<Ryor make a hand gesture nobody is familiar with. Judging from his language so far, and the threats he made going up the stairs, one would assume it is vulgar.>
To Jon: "Please do not talk directly to me anymore. If you have something to say address it to me through Mr. Cordoba."
<Pulls out a dagger and begins shaving his head.>
It might suddenly occur to everyone that Ryor is still fully armed.
Syd asks curiously of the demon-thing, "So,er, is ol' Baldy still in there, or 'ave you clobbered 'im?"
Syd asks curiously of the demon-thing, "So,er, is ol' Baldy still in there, or 'ave you clobbered 'im?"
"I'm torturing the little faggot. He's slippery, though. Let's see...."
<His eyes start twitching.>
"You are chasing a man, a Captain... Book. There are others, waiting for you. You met in the hold."
<The creature laughs.>
"The fool is giving up. Soon this meat will be mine."