The ghoul looks at Theophilus, its bulk rippling with strength and dangerous intent and says with no small amount of anger, ”Yeah I’d asy not. Quel connard.”
Mara stepped aside with Dervak and recited a few prayers.
Mara joined Theo's conversation with the ghouls discretely, "Perhaps Armel should be taught some manners; it sounds like he's overstayed his welcome."
"Retinue, huh? Okay. I'll get one, too."
Dervak will cast Mirror Image for images, and Keen Edge on Teralindar's Honor.
Theo cracks his knuckles.
The walls and doors of this spacious room are painted black and are decorated with skeletons and skulls, horrific battle scenes, and paintings of guillotines in use. Tables are arranged throughout the room in a tavern like setting, save that the tables are coffins that rest on wooden biers. Drinks are served in small skulls that cradle a glass inside. Dim light is provided by fat, dripping candles set in two chandeliers fashioned from human bones, each topped with a skull. A black upright piano sits in the southeast corner of the establishment with a swivel piano stool before it. Festive music, laughter, and conversation fill the chamber. Opposite the piano in the northeast corner is a bar area with racks of bottles and kegs behind the counter. Two individual black doors exit to the east, and a third door stands behind the bar.
Armel and two other Leng ghouls carouse at the center table against the east wall. Armel is an enormous ghoul, overweight even for his 9 foot tall stature. He sits precariously on a wooden chair that appears ready to collapse beneath him.
A number of other Leng ghouls and even a few humans, occupy the tavern. Waiters thread through the room dressed in undertaker costumes and delivering drinks on a silver platter. A fearsomely jovial Leng ghoul tends the bar.
Theophilus nods in gratitude to the friendly ghoul bouncers before strutting into the building. Smiling at those in attendance, the Mad Hatter walks confidently to the jovial bartender.
Spirits, my fine barkeeper! Tis be a time for celebration!
The White Rabbit is seen wearing a festive Mardi Gras costume, complete with Mr. T layered beads!
So, are things going well, my ghoulish barkeep? Any behaviors not cooperative with joy?
Seeing that the ghouls at the door have no interest in them, Ci Ci takes the opportunity to freshen herself up a little more before entering the building.
Once she has done so, she enters the bar, and takes a seat opposite the bar at one of the coffin-shaped tables. She keeps her posture relaxed and unconcerned with the surroundings, as if she'd been there before.
The bartender nods with a too wide grin showing rows of teeth and hops around making Theo a drink. He speaks in enthusiasm in what you've come to know as the french language. He gestures wildly and confusingly in every which way.
Dervak is not exactly sure what the plan is here, or what he is supposed to be doing.
So he approaches Armel.
You going to go quietly?"
Dervak rests his hand on his sheathed sword.
Earlier: Mara meditated in preparation for their evening at the Cabaret
1st (7): Cure Light Wounds, Endure Elements, Protection from Evil, Remove Fear, Unbreakable Heart x3. Color Spray (spirit)
2nd (7): Barkskin x2, Calm Emotions, Delay Poison, Resist Energy, Open Slot x2-> Remove Paralysis x2, Hypnotic Pattern (spirit)
3rd (6): Heroism x3, Sleet Storm, Open Slot x2 - > Delay Poison (Mass), Heorism, Daylight (spirit)
4th (6): Blessing of Fervor, Fear, Slowing Mud, Spiritual Ally x2, Open slot, Rainbow Pattern (spirit)
5th (6): Ancestral Memory, Baleful Polymorth, Breath of Life x2, Open slot x2 -> Break Enchatment, Open Slot, Overland Flight (spirit)
6th (5): Greater Dispel Magic, Mass Cure Moderate Wounds, Wall of Stone, Open Slot x2 -> Owl's Wisdom (Mass), Open Slot, Chain Lightning (spirit)
7th (4): Fairy Ring Retreat, Heal x2, Open Slot , Prismatic Spray (spirit).
8th (3): Firestorm, Stormbolts, Open slot -> Irresistable Dance, Sunburst (spirit)
Mara recited some prayers before the group entered the Cabaret. Once inside, she looked around and tried to determine the general mood of those inside.
Theophilus takes his drink, smiling at the french ghoulish bartender.
The White Rabbit is seen wearing a beret and sporting a thick mustache.
They both notice Derak approaching the asshat and Theo sighs and orders another drink.
As Dervak mentions that Erich is back the cabaret goes quiet, save for a few muttered words. The bartender gasps in surprise.
Armel and his entourage stands up and looms over Dervak and says in Aklo, "You think anybody will care what you said after I pick my teeth with your bones?
"Have it your way."
Dervak will 5' step back (free, so he is 15' away from Armel), draw his sword (move), cast Blade Lash (standard), and Dex-Rage while casting Bladed Dash (free, ending up adjacent to Armel).
Teralindar's Honor elongates into a whip, grabbing around the ankles of the ghoul.
Hopefully that takes Armel down to the ground, considering it would be against flat-footed CMD.
The sword then returns to its regular form as Dervak flashes in to attack.
AC is now 43, and CMD is 48.
Theo sips his drink.
That has escalated quite quickly.
Theo will Split Hex Retributive Hex against Armel and any bodyguard closest to him.
Dervak pulls the feet out from under Armel, the ghoul nearly hops out of the way at the last minute. Dervak follow up with a wicked slash to his body.
The other two ghouls have their revolvers in their hands before you even see it. They keep their distance and show you what revolvers do. With three bangs each that threaten to deafen you, the ghouls shoot Dervak repeatedly but only eliminate his illusory doubles.
Dervak decides to show the other ghouls what a sword does, swinging at them every time they shoot with his uncanny reach.
----
Mara moved up and took cover behind a table imploring, "Mommy, we need some orcish fighting spirit!"
The White Rabbit appears, kicks Theo, bows to everyone else, and disappears.
Dervak and Teralindar's Honor work in sync carving the undead frenchmen apart and to their utter surprise. However the ghouls are not out of the fight yet.
Armel stands as he brings his axe to bear, which Dervak punishes him for.
Screaming with rage the towering leng ghoul swings at Dervak, but at the last minute the bartender sails a bottle of brandy right at Armel's face. Doing no damage but foiling his aim.
Theophilus smiles at the bartender.
Nice shot, man.
He winks.
The Witch then Split Hex Misfortune hex at Armel and closest guard.
Probably should have started with that.
”Immolatus!” Ci Ci cries out, pointing at the melee.
Dervak watches a CiCi's column of fire roars down.
Hmm... this Cabaret may need a new coat of paint afterwards.
He attacks Armel with Teralindar's Honor.
If he drops Armel at any point, he will redirect remaining attacks to whichever gunman is up. And after his attacks, he will 5' step to be in Blue's face.
Theo's curse settles onto the unfortunate gendarme but rolls off Armel like water like oiled leather. Unfortunately for Armel that oil bursts into flame burning the stout ghoul’s skin to ash, yet his smoking presence remained an intimidating one, he still yet moved with violent intent. The Leng ghoul flanking him collapsed, still clutching the red hot revolver.
Dervak slices the remaining two ghouls to pieces with some effort. With the tyrannical ghoul put down the remaining patrons who didn’t have the good sense to flee let loose a cheer.
Dervak cleans and sheathes his blade.
He looks to the remaining patrons.
"Erich Zann is back. Treat him well."
He will report back to Zann.
"Armel is dead. Now we must go to this fantastic tower you mentioned and complete the ritual.
I believe you had said that if we dealt with Armel you would be able to send allies to deal with the Shantaks? I would welcome such aid. Can your allies also guide us there?"
Theophilus tips the bartender, doffs his hat, and exits the building.
We came. We saw. We kicked some arse.
The White Rabbit is seen dress like Clint Eastwood.
Word has traveled fast after Erich's return. Outside his small house is a large crowd of Leng ghouls and humans, spilling out into the street. Erich writes to you, ”Thank you. Julian will take a cohort and drive off the shantaks. But first follow me.”
The aging musician leads you across town to the ruins of a shop that once sold musical instruments. There he uncovers a secret hiding spot and produces a featureless gray stone, perfectly smooth and polished, a spiraling ram’s horn, and a sparkling ruby.
Eiffel Tower
The remnants of a fantastic iron tower stand here over a broken and rubble-strewn street. The tower is fashioned from a lattice of riveted iron girders. The shattered remains of an elevator system occupy the leg area along with a set of iron stairs. The height of the tower was once approximately one thousand feet, though it has since been snapped in half. The base and two floors are still somewhat intact, although wreckage and twisted metal litter the structure and surrounding area.
The wreckage of stairs leading up the remnants of this iron tower holds you well enough, even if the progress is slow. You find the final Star Stela on the second observation deck well over 500 feet up. True to Erich’s word Julian and a number of ghoul gendarme’s have driven off the shantaks that would normally circle the remains of the tower.
Theophilus snarls at the orb.
The White Rabbit is seen wearing voodoo charms and incense.
At the Iron Tower, they both sigh at the climbing of stairs. About 1/2 way up, the White Rabbit is seen wearing a jogger's assistance outfit, squirting water at Theo.
The both make it up, see the final Star Stela and begin the ritual.
Mara flew up the beside the stairs, keeping an eye out for shantaks. When she reached the platform, she took a moment to stop and enjoy the view over the city.
"This city is Immense!" she said in awe.
When the others indicated that they were ready to start the ritual, she offered up a prayer to the Heavens Spirits.
About a quarter of the way through the ritual the earth begins to shake and heave, sending rippling waves of kinetic energy through the gigantic iron tower. To your horror the earthquake is not a natural phenomenon, but a truly massive worm of seemingly endless length erupting from the ground below you. It winds its way around the tower fast approaching you with a huge set of massive jaws set on devouring you.
Seeing the approaching creature, Mara concentrated, speeding up the flow of time for her allies. She searched her ancestral memories for knowledge of this monstrosity, which reminded her of the thing sleeping below the Briarstone Asylum.
After a few seconds, she told her friends, "It's a dhole! It can swallow you whole and digest you with acid. Confusion spells are the only magic that can affect its mind!"
As the dhole drew nearer, she prayed for Charlabu to aid her against this horror.
Finally, she called on the Heavens Sprits to unleash the fury of the heavens on the colossal beast, as Charlabu swung away with his scimitar.
Round One: Ci Ci casts rift of ruin
Round Two: If the Dhole gets over or out of the rift, Ci Ci calls denizens of the rift to attack the Dhole. If the Dhole remains in the rift, Ci Ci flies towards it in a double move.
Round Three: Ci Ci closes, as necessary, and casts empowered disintegrate.
"Mara, Theophilus, do you remember a gigantic worm-creature under the Asylum that seemed able to cause earthquakes?"
"The Dark Whisper told me to avoid waking it up. It knew this worm was a creature of enormous power."
Even after all he has faced, and even with all of his newfound Destined power, that memory of the thing under the Asylum causes Dervak to regard this foe with some awe... and then Cerise conjures a portal to Hell.
We are all beings of great power. Let us see if it is great enough. I do not need to slay it myself, but I need to buy time.
Round One: Cast Freedom of Movement on himself.
Round Two: Move to the front of the party, Dex-rage casting Shield, and use Total Defense.
AC is 50 with Haste and Total Defense.
(+10 Armor, +5 Dex, +3 Deflection, +4 Shield, +6 Luck, +5 Natural, +1 Haste, +6 Total Defense).
Theophilus watches the worm fast approaching you with a huge set of massive jaws set on devouring you.
He grins.
I actually thought that rumbling under the Asylum your tummy, friend Dervak.
The Witch activates his Flight Hex. He then floats 30' behind Dervakk.
He then Fortune Hex' the bloodrager.
Mara replied to Dervak, "Yes, and this confirms that we were wise not to wake that one up! Unfortunately, someone else seems to have woken this one, and it's in a very bad mood!"
The relatively small form of Charlabu is dwarfed by the bulk of the monstrosity. He swings at the creature with a heavenly scimitar and his image just shatters like glass. Mara’s lightning strikes the top of the head of the creature leaving a scorch mark and then arcing up and down striking it over and over again leaving a similar smaller mark as it strikes, it doesn’t slow or flinch.
Ci Ci disgorges something sinister from the Abyss and then her diasporatum ray disintegrates a single tooth-like structure of the monstrosity as it bellows in rage, at least it was a large tooth.
It vomits on you. When you think of the word vomit it quite inadequately describes the profusion of slime expelled through the creature’s gigantic mouth nearly 900 feet up into the sky. It rains down on you in rivers of revolting mess, you can barely move as it numbs your limbs and weighs you down.
The dhole is now 50ft below you.
Mara dodged out of the way of the worst part of the vomit; she shouted "Get ready Dervak! When it gets close enough, I'm sending you in!"
Dervak withstands the immense blast of slime.
Dervak will stay on the defensive, waiting for Mara to find an opening.
Theo watches the disgusting slime blast up and over and around him. The Witch winks at Dervak.
Danger is my middle name!
The White Rabbit suddenly appears, kicks Theo in his trouser leg, bows to Dervak and disappears!
Floating a bit above the newly laid layer of filth, Theo decides to....
Legendary Proportions?
The Witch then floats a bit to cover....
The dhole slithers up until its gaping maw is close enough to terrify.
Mara tears a hole in reality, thin yellow tendrils pull Dervak through space and time, only for him to reappear within striking distance.
The dhole pays him no mind at all...
The dhole grabs a hold of the hatter and is dangerously close to biting him in two.
Dervak, now grown to a gigantic size, attacks the creature that dwarfs even him.
Theo s&$+s his trousers!
Theophilus stares daggers at the behemoth!
The Witch then Cackles uncontrollably at it!
The massive Bebilith seems dwarfed by the even more massive Dhole, but the creature is driven by its rapacious desire to kill.
Bite and claws are considered Magical, Good, Cold Iron, and Chaotic for bypassing DR.
If Bite Attack hits, DC 23 Fort Save or take 2 Con Damage for 5 rounds due to rotting.
Mara felt Theo was dangerously close to the leviathan, and resolved to move him to a spot where she could reach and heal him. She concentrated, opening up a rift and shunting him next to her.
Dervak strikes around and within the dhole's mouth, cutting through a hide more than a foot thick, he draws the barest amount of blood on what would be equivalent to a paper cut on most humanoids.
The bebilith has similar trouble penetrating the thick hide. Mara saves Theo while the hatter curses the massive creature.
And then it withdraws back into the ground violently. Shockwaves ripple through the tower, causing the iron to groan in protest. Bits of debris are tossed into the air and rained down on top of you.
You wait for a second for the dhole to reappear but it does not.