Diablerie (EverQuest RPG PBP)

Game Master Xenh

Loki keeps to his own counsel as he considers that not only had the gnome survived, but there was a price on their heads as well. Considering that this "elder" had the book, they would need to come back to Freeport, and those Scattered Embers mercenaries/assassins would need to be neutralized. There was one piece of the puzzle that made no sense. If the man was against the killing of 28 humans, then why would he take part in setting the group on the exact same task. Blood would surely be on his hands figuratively for the murders, rather than literally.

Loki has not the coin to be smuggled beyond the city gates of Qeynos, for the ship's journey had taken all of his coin. The Teir'dal requests to work for Bones to make up the difference, though it will leave him all but penniless.

The necromancer slides off of the rope and quickly surveys the room they had dropped into, seeking out information about the size of the chamber, and the occupants within.

Zaruksis wakes from a second unexpected loss of consciousness on the same day, and decides that he's doing something wrong. He starts to question all of the premises that lead him to this point of a bad pattern with his own decisions at the nexus. Why is he continuing to associate with these people? Why are they trying to find the other tomes? Is that really the best way to get ahead? He smiles and nods at the stories told by Kur'Plugh and the Elder, playing along to get out of the sewer.

The shadowknight's dark heart leaps for joy when they happen to run into a reliable acquaintance: Captain Bones. The last time that he was really happy had been on that ship. The freedom was enjoyable, the transport of goods for sale was lucrative (especially the horses), and fighting off pirates was both. He vows to himself to take full advantage this time of access to the experienced Teir'Dal captain, quizzing him incessantly on the running of such a ship: everything from the math and maps of navigation, to the mechanics of tiller and sail, to the business of choosing cargo and keeping a crew in line.

How did the pirates that attacked them know that they had something worth taking? Why did they misjudge the difficulty of taking it? What were the differences between a merchant captain and a pirate captain in freedom, lifestyle, and retirement plan? How difficult was it to transition between one and the other: just a matter of raising a different flag, or also a different set of ports, or even a whole new crew? Not that he expects Captain Bones to know anything about a pirate's point of view from personal experience, of course, but sailors will talk. He's bound to know stories...

When not learning by asking, the suddenly industrious iksar spends his time learning by doing, helping the crew with the rigging, the cleaning, and anything else that needed doing on the ship. And if there seem to be fewer rats than normal, he assumes that no one will inquire too closely as to exactly how long the rodents remain alive while he takes notes on mammalian anatomy, pain tolerance, and points of vulnerability. Not that he really needs to conduct any more studies along those lines; it's just a fun hobby, at this point.

Zaru also practices swimming in his fine new armor, working out both the theory and practice of counter-boarding as an anti-piracy tactic. For now, it's just a way to make the pirates retreat to re-secure their own vessel; but he could see himself using it someday to take over such a ship and keep it for himself. Someday...

But eventually they reach Qeynos, where they are offered an opportunity to be smuggled through the city -- an offer that Zaruksis politely declines. "Thank you, but I've had quite enough chasing after strange tomes. That only got me in trouble. The life of the sea is for me!" His jaw gapes in a reptilian smile, as he wishes the others well in their quest.

Back in Qeynos, Piter was a little surprised that the pull of the tomes was not as strong for his fellow Shadow Knight. Still, he had been somewhat uncomfortable in the big city, and had seemed to really take to life aboard ship.

Piter felt that path would take Zaruksis longer to achieve the power Piter sought, so he didn't fully understand it. But some preferred to simply do something specific that they enjoyed, rather than try to attain wealth and power. That, at least, he could understand, even if he didn't feel the same way.

Piter had said to Zaruksis, by way of a goodbye, "Perhaps we'll take passage on your ship again, either with Captain Bones or aboard a ship of your own. Stay alive."

Cakkarak had fallen silent after the meeting the Elder. Slipping into the nothingness of oblivion had given the monk a bit to think about. Not to mention a little bit more was revealed about the Tomes of Saz. It was a great deal for Cakkarak to think about.

The Iksar monk had greeted Captain Bones with a nod and his requested amount of coin. Cakkarak politely declinesthe offer to join the crew part time while they travel. He does offer to help repel any pirates and does help with the more physically demanding work.

Mostly, the monk meditates on the events that had unfolded, like dying. The iksar continues his strict training as they travel, seemingly his one true obsession. He doesn't allow himself a break for illness or injury, only modifying his routine to avoid further injury or worsening sickness.

When Zaru decides that he no longer wants to seek the tomes, Cakkarak nods, and wishes the other iksar luck in his travels. There was certain degree of temptation to travel the seas as well, the iksar would have been lying to not admit that. However, Cakkarak had decided to seek the tomes, and to see where this path lead him.

Some weeks later...

Having been traveling the plains for almost a month or so, perhaps a little longer, a place for the ritual was located. Looking down into the hole, the monk stops a sigh of annoyance from escaping. A little while back whilst traveling with the Captain, he had finally taken the time to properly resupply. Cakkarak had managed to keep his gear in good shape, more out of a meticulous nature then personal attachment.

"Another body filled hole? Why can't we go anyplace nice? Well, I suppose it's some degrees better then the sewer in Freeport," the monk says dryly. Cakkarak spoke quietly, making sure his voice didn't travel beyond the group. His cold green eyes move about the chamber. "I would guess that someone else has an idea on the ritual of hearts as well. I would gather we are not the only that seek the tomes."

" Urgh, I really hate having my shape take on a human form, and this is disgusting even for me." The human from that Kur'Plugh was 'wearing' griped. The months at sea, had mellowed the ogre out quite a bit, and having resupplied helped him out quite a bit. The potions however were expensive and had cleaned the Ogre out of coin, but they were a way to get around without to much alarm.
The thought of roaming the sea's had been very tempting to the ogre, he had almost joined with captain Bones' crew, after all it wasn't a bad way to live.
" Well that is very true, hey! We might even find what we are looking for as we loot who ever is removing hearts, less work for us." Kur'Plugh says with a grin, his human form resembled a barbarian from the north.

This hole that you had climbed down was difficult for lesser beings, but everyone has no trouble getting into this chamber. The chamber is piled mid thigh deep with corpses, in various states of decomposition. The oldest appears to be 6-7 months old, the stentch is brutal enough to hit you in the face. One could taste the decay in the air, there is a passageway to the east and southwest out of here.

Loki moves to the closest of the corpses and attempts to discern what had killed it, and utilizing what method.

Heal: 1d2 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

He continues moving about the chamber, as one might casually traipse through a verdant garden, working to learn more about the bodies of the fallen: what races, ages, et cetera might be present.

Loki: It would take days to figure out how everyone died down here, many of the bodies have a hole cut into their chest cavity.

Cakkarak falls silent, looking around for other exits. All of the corpses seemed to share the same manner of death. At least, that's what he determines from what he could see of the bodies. Gaping holes in the chest cavity tend to be rather lethal. Considering the number, the monk imagines has something to with the ritual of hearts.

The tome required hearts cruelly torn from the breast of innocents, and while Loki had no intention of committing such a heinous act, he did see a loophole: It was not required of them to kill the innocents, just to have harvested the organs.

It appeared that they were not the only ones in the market for hearts.

The Teir'dal was many things, a number of them things that the goodly races would burn him at the stake for, but he was not a waster of potential. The best result of one's actions was for all sides to benefit from the interaction.

Loki played the long game.

Those that attacked them above the sewers were killed to send a message, and not out of some indignation that someone would attempt to harm them. He was confident that the message had been received by the diminutive little bastard that had hired the sellsords.

Loki continues out of the field of bodies, moving out from 'neath the hole and past the large boulders. The necromancer waits for his pet to navigate the bodies. and waits for the others to join him as well.

Everyone follows the Necromancer, to the path of the west, thinking that it was a good as place as any. Once you have walked past the rocks you see a ladder leading up towards a ledge, what looks like another passage way further to the north, one to the south, a chasm to the north as well. There might be another ledge past the sprawling abyss, with a walkway, while starting to talk quietly about whether to go up the ladder, or take the passage way to the south. You had walked into the middle of the passageway, the ladder looks sturdy enough to hold most of your weight, the only one that would have an issue would be Kur'Plugh, as the potion he had consumed earlier today finally wore off.
The ceiling is still 90 ft above your head, the ladder goes up 30 ft, and you think you can see a walkway that leads another 10 ft up to the ledge. This passageway is roughly 35 ft long, more then enough space for one to move around. The height on this passageway is at least 90 ft, so watching for beings throwing ranged weapons at you wouldn't be remiss.
Hearing some shuffling of dirt on stone behind you, everyone turns around and sees a familiar gnome, the memory of seeing him throw himself off the cliff once you had gotten on to land rushes to your memories. A half elf stands close by the gnome, who looks like he could use a meal or three and perhaps a hair cut, wielding a long sword, a woman who loos like she is close to 7 ft tall, with a hammer of some kind, an Erudite in robes, and a Val Shir with stands with a tiger at his side.
Both groups have a look of surprise on their faces, as you both have spotted each other at the same time, (no surprise round for either party), your group is a little quicker on the ball, and are able to act first: the question is, to arms and attack first or try your hand at trying to talk this out. Mayhaps they might be persuaded to working this out, or will this come to blows?

Battlemap

Initiative:
- Cakkarak, Loki/Pet, Kur'plugh, Piter, Zaruksis
- Sajeek/Bast, Gwendalyn, Kwen, Revery/Pet, Nogglegrop

This could end so many ways.

The necromancer takes time to consider the cleric's last moments among the group. He had understood the truth of the spell that Nogglegrop had cast, but imagined the little fellow would die of exposure, be eaten, or drown. It appears that he had underestimated the gnome. This was something he would not do again.

"Nogglegrop, Revery, Gwendalyn, Sajeek....."

He knew all of the other group, as they knew them, since they had shared moments in the throes of torture. The half elf was a mystery, but looked to be a mobile fighter, perhaps a ranger.

It appeared that Sajeek had come into his own, for he now traveled with a rather larger tiger.

Loki launches an offensive spell at his fellow arcane spell caster Revery, understanding that an enchanter could easily turn the tide of battle left unchecked (Poison Bolt, Fort save vs. DC 19 for half damage).

Loki then ensures that both he and his skeletal minion have backed behind cover. Remaining in range to collect the enemies ranged attacks was not something he felt was tactically wise. Luckily he wandered Norrath with a number of walls of muscle.

(37/42 mana)

Piter rounds the corner and sees a few familiar faces, starting with the Gnome. He had survived the rocks off the cliff. He had made it here, with a few of the other slaves. Interesting, and dangerous.

He quickly sizes up the group. They look like they have killing on their minds. Perhaps a parlay? But then Loki casts an offensive spell at one of them, so chances are their killing mindset would take hold. The cat man, the Erudite, Barbarian, Gnome, and a Half-Elf too. And a tiger! The Barbarian looked most dangerous, though the Erudite may be. And the Gnome, a fighter or cleric. But he had cast a spell, so probably a cleric.

He begins his rhythmic, low battle chant (Chant of Battle, +1 Dex, +1 Str, +1 AC, new AC is 21; 1 mana/r) as he brings up his bow and fires at the largest opponent, the Barbarian.

Attack and Damage with Bow: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 81d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

His arrow goes wide and his chant gets a nastier edge to it.

He drops his bow and moves five feet toward the ladder; it may have strategic value. At the same time he draws his sword.

(HP: 37/37, Mana 7/8)

Zaruksis measures the distance between him and the goodly forces, recognizing that he would not be able to get in next to them before they were able to take a swing at him, he drops his sword and pulls out his bow (move action), and lets fly working in tandem with Piter to drop the largest combatant.

An arrow slides across the battlefield, digging deep into Gwendalyn's side.

Random (Sajeek, Gwendalyn, Kwen, Revery, Nogglegrop): 1d5 ⇒ 1 (Gwendalyn)

Bow Strike: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 (critical threat)
Critical Confirmation: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 (confirmed)
Damage: 2d8 ⇒ (3, 7) = 10

You are all serenaded by a child's anguished screams, as it is tortured by Swenj, and the rhythmic sound of picks slamming into stone south of your position.

The two women remain somewhere east of the goodly group, out of sight, but not forgotten.

The area stinks of dozens of rotting male bodies sans their heart muscles, with convenient windows into their thoracic cavities for the bugs to crawl in.

They had all stood for the space of perhaps 4 heartbeats, staring at one another, at the very edge of the enchanter's visual range, but still within it, and processing the ramifications of the fates bringing them together again, before the necromancer had launched the first attack. It was fortuitous that he had acted before Revery. Enchanters were dangerous foes.

There was strategy behind the attack, beyond dropping a dangerous component. A strategy that was perfect to employ while his side was bunched up.

"The enchanter's animation will mindlessly slide through the field of battle in search of the one that attacked its master. Please ensure that you place yourself along its path, and destroy it as it blindly travels towards me."

"What are you doing here?" Cakkarak manages to get out, just as the dark elf's magic's leave his fingertips. He glares at the dark elf. 'Someone should had drowned that miscarriage at birth,' the monk thinks crossly. And he would be willing to bet that the dark elf would have the stone to chastize the others for something if they lived through the battle. If they lived through this, the monk was going to drown the dark elf in the vile waters left from the rotting bodies. He was done with following a mad elf whose dream was to kill a god.

The battle

"Kill the finger wiggling dark elf!" cries Sajeek as he throws his spear at the dark elf. "If their not here to help free the slaves then must be working for the master of this place. They attacked first!"

"Get him Bast!" Sajeek instructs the tiger.

Kur'Plugh looks at Cakkarak and shrugs, then turns towards the half elf and starts casting, then gives a cruel smile as a blast of arctic frost washes over him.

Piter fires an arrow, but it flies wide of the mark. His chanting fills his sinews with newly found energy.

Zaruksis draws first blood, leaving a vibrating length of wood extending from the shaman.

Cakkarak awaits the onrush of the goodly foes.

Loki (37/42 mana) and his pet remain behind the stone of the mesa (full cover) with his pet at the ready, waiting for an opening to launch his next spell. His spell seeks to boil Revery alive (DC 19 fort save vs. poison bolt for half damage).

Kur'plugh (9/12 mana) launches a spell at the rogue and Kwen feels cold start to wash over him, and can avoid it if he's fast enough (DC 14 reflex save vs. frost rift).

(tag good group, you are 15' from the closest combatant in Zaruksis and 35' from the next, which is Piter, and 45' from Cakkarak/Kur'plugh, and 50' from Loki/pet)

Revery's pet flies forth, opening up opportunities for each of the evils to smash it as it mindlessly moves past them (incurs AoO from all).

Nogglegrop glances over at the shaman and gulps at the accuracy of the lizardman. He had experienced enough sleepless nights haunted by his experiences at their hands. His hand sweeps forth, and then again as he asks Bristlebane Fizzlethorp to remove the sting from the wound.

Minor Healing (Gwendalyn, Free Action): 1d10 ⇒ 4
Minor Healing (Gwendalyn, Standard Action): 1d10 ⇒ 5

The arrow clatters to the ground, expelled by repaired flesh, leaving only a small bloodless cut.

Piter sees the sword and shield float through the air toward Loki. His sword just drawn, he tests it on whatever it is holding those items.

AOO attack and damage (Power attack): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 191d10 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

The items satisfyingly drop to the ground and then disappear.

Piter smiles as he chants, a repetitive, raspy verse:

"This is now
...
you are strong
...
this is how
...
done me wrong.
...
Bring me up,
...
help me aim
...
Drink from the cup
...
Bring me fame.
..."

Critical Bow damage (Gwendalyn): 1d6 ⇒ 6

Mentally edit out Cakkarak/Sajeek's previous post per DM request.

Cakkarak blinks in surprise at the sight of the others that they had almost ran into. He wwas certain he had seen them before. Recognizing the gnome, his eye ridges raise.

"What are the lot of you doing here?" the confused iksar monk blurts out. At the same time as Loki's magic lash out.

Shaking off his confusion as the battle joins, the monk holds his ground, waiting for one of them to charge into his range.

Critical Bow damage (Gwendalyn): 1d8 ⇒ 7

part 2 of mental reedit

Sajeek looks towards the sounds of the voice, warned both by the talking , and not to mention the slaves pleading. Reading himself, the vah shir lays a hand on Bast's head. The big reddish-orange tiger's muscles tense, ready to tear into his two-legged brothers foes.

At the sight of the owners of the voices, Sajeek stares hard at them. The vah shir is struck by the sense that he had seen most of them before. He just couldn't place where exactly. Then it hit him like a ton of goblins. They were the slavers.

That thought was confirmed by the dark elf. Whom wiggled his fingers and fled from sight.

"It's the slavers!" the Beastlord growls low in his throat. "They've been following us!"

Flinging his spear at the closest of them he can see, one of the lizards, Sajeek tells Bast to attack. The vah shir is only a few steps behind the tiger.

Kwen blinks as he feels an energy strike him, darting to the side he tries to avoid what every it was that was hitting him.

Ducking out the way completely the rogue brushes off the blast of cold air, Kwen moves forward to get into flanking position with Sajeek, trying to avoid moving into striking range of the other combatants.

Piter makes short work of Revery's animation. The thing is resistant to harm, but when you hit it hard enough that the noise reverberates off the walls, it tends to halt its advance. A piece of mangled metal is all that remains of the once vibrant pet.

The gnome makes an, "Oooo!" noise and has a mental note not to be struck by the powerful singing bard.

Nogglegrop's healing removes much of the sting of the arrow's bite (9 damage healed), but it had torn deeply into Gwendalyn's flesh and nearly cored her heart (17 damage done by the critical strike with Zaruksis's arrow).

Cakkarak prepares a strike that will miss even half-blind old ladies that have penchants for leaning into haymakers.

Kwen reveals much of his rogue training in his move to avoid the ogre shaman's spell. Kur'plugh had expected to either catch Kwen fully, or at least do some damage, but he realizes that the half elf had completely avoided any damage. This was a highly trained acrobat, and his elven heritage eliminated any thought of him being a monk.

Sajeek's throw collides with the rock the iksar hides behind (cover bonus to AC), but he is able to place himself opposite of the rogue (flanking bonus conferred to both) as he comes around the corner.

Kwen slides into position ready to skewer the iksar shadowknight. His strike is nearly perfect, and the poison enters Zaruksis' bloodstream, but is easily repelled by the tough lizard (1 dose of poison used). The longsword was not a precision weapon (no backstab), but it was good for lopping limbs off.

Fort Save (Zaruksis vs. DC 18 poison): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Bast rushes into combat (move action), and is able to draw Zaruksis' blood with its teeth (standard action), but that is all (on the first round, when able to sneak up on prey it can land devastating attacks, in the form of a pounce, against those caught off guard). In this encounter both sides had seen each other, but for future combats one sees the benefit in having Bast hide in scamper range, sneak into position before the first blow is launched.

Zaruksis has seen better days (17 damage taken, 19/36 hit points remaining). Both sides had spilled blood now.

Gwendalyn and Revery had not made their presence felt...yet.

Gwendalyn freezes in shock at the unexpected sight of her former tormenters -- but then the shorter iksar, Zaruksis, fires a very well-aimed arrow into her. Apparently a warrior. Her face twists in anger, and she curses him in his own tongue, albeit poorly. "You will pay for your crimes!" She finishes the healing that Noggy started, strengthens herself with a blessing from the Great Wolf, and wades in opposite the Kejek tiger to swing at the iksar archer herself.

Revery sees the dark elf cast a spell, and tries to place it. Immediately he feels it is directed at him, only.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Spellcraft to determine spell (DC 17): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (13) + 18 = 31

He feels blood from the Poison Bolt seeping through him. "Poison!" He sees his pet rushing off to attack the dark elf, only to see it struck down by the human.

Trying not to bend over in pain, he casts Minor Shielding on himself (quickened) and then he discards the idea of Invisibility, for he was hoping Noggy would be able to cure his poison before it eats away at him. So instead he attempts to make the human regret cutting down his pet by casting Fear on him.

The good side is more experienced, and perhaps those extra battles are making the difference as Zaruksis is surrounded by a unified effort, compared to the evils being stretched across hell's half acre. It is a learning experience indeed.

Gwendalyn, freshly healed by her spell, brings her hammer into line with the iksar's chest at a high rate of velocity. He collapses into a heap of unconscious lizard flesh.

The magically armoured Revery is able to determine the truth of the spell, as its insidious magic pervades his tissues. He is able to push off the distraction, as he is being flayed alive from the inside out, and hit Piter with a spell seeking to remove him from the field of battle (DC 21 will save vs. fear).

Poison Bolt (damage, round 1): 1d6 ⇒ 2

The screaming has stopped. You hear footsteps approaching from the south, now that every one of the female slave miners have stopped their toil.

(end of round)
(start of new round)

(tag evils)

Loki sneaks a peek around the corner (9/10ths cover) in time to watch the goodly forces swarm around Zaruksis and down the powerful shadowknight.

Hide: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Cyan orbs flit to Piter standing alone by the ladder, hoping the human had a plan. Perhaps he was going to climb up, kick over the ladder, and rain down death from above. That would leave Cakkarak as the sole melee combatant standing between the casters and the opposition. A wise tactical move for the shadow bard, but not necessarily conducive to a long life for those down below.

Now was the time to pull out all the stops, and his task was to keep the casters busy.

Revery stands amongst a cloud of plague (quickened Disease Cloud, Fort save vs. DC 18).

Nogglegrop feels a wash of poison descend onto his shoulders (Poison Bolt, Fort save vs. DC 19 for half damage, 24/42 mana).

Nogglegrop works to push off the necromancer's spell, but is unable to.

Fort Save (fort save vs. DC 19 poison bolt): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Poison Bolt (round 1 damage): 1d6 ⇒ 5

Kur'Plugh blinks his eyes, not expecting the half-elf to have shrugged off his spell, moving forward he lifts, his greatclub and moves forward to help out Zaruksis, and when he get's within 10 ft, takes a swing at the half elf, going with the thought that his elf meat tenderized.

Gwendalyn can't tell what spells are cast by a dark elf that she can't see.

Swenj, dressed in his peasant's garb, stained heavily by fresh blood, effortlessly moves toward the group from the south tunnel.

With a casual wave of his hand a single word leaves his mouth and spell (quickened) flies forth from his fingertips. A heartbeat later another spell is cast, but this time Swenj takes his time.

A wave of fire rains down on Zaruksis' limp form, Bast, Sajeek, Gwendalyn, Kwen, Kur'plugh and Nogglegrop.

(please include a DC 18 reflex save in your next post to only take half damage from the attack)

Flame AoE: 4d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 6, 2) = 15 (note: fire damage)

Zaruksis finds an opportunity to visit Cazic-Thule directly. Not only is he unable to get away from the explosion of flame, but sickeningly the flames continue to burn his supine form.

The second spell targets Loki, his pet, and Cakkarak only, but it is a swirling vortex of freezing cold that roars outward from its centre.

Cold AoE: 3d10 ⇒ (6, 1, 10) = 17 (note: cold damage)

(please include a DC 18 reflex save in your next post to only take half damage from the attack)

Piter remains free of either spell, thinking that ladders make fine companions. It was nice not to be a priority target, and should anyone survive this ordeal they will understand the situational advantages of staying away from other people.

Suffice to say that whatever issues the two groups might have with each other can be momentarily forgotten, considering the power of this newest addition to the battle.

(end of combat)

Initiative:
- Cakkarak, Loki/Pet, Kur'plugh, Piter, Sajeek/Bast, Gwendalyn, Kwen, Revery, Nogglegrop
- Swenj

Nogglegrop attempts to scamper out of the way of the flame strike, and just barely is able to get to the edge of the blast (7 damage taken).

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

"meep" Kwen get's out before the spell hits him.

HP: 45/57
AC: 16

Loki watches the movements of the traitorous Swenj's mouth, and discerns the truth of the spell that had been cast towards the others.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22 (success)

Not normally fleet of foot, the Teir'dal is able shield himself from the bulk of the magical barrage (8 damage taken) by slipping behind cover.

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20 (success, half damage)

The necromancer has no idea of what was cast his way, but considering the nature of the first spell he decides it is best to not stand in one spot for too long.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15 (failure)

His skeletal minion remains stoic and undamaged at the centre of the explosion (immune to cold attacks), until Loki points for it to go keep the wizard busy.

A spell tears across the battlefield, seeking to steal the newest very lifeforce of the newest addition to the battlefield (Fort save vs. DC 19 lifespike for half damage).

Lifespike: 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

The necromancer (24/24 hit points, 21/42 mana) could not believe what he was about to do. Shouting loud enough, in the common tongue, he ensures all can hear him, "RUN FROM THAT SPOT! The fire falls in waves of three!"

The small undead creature throws itself at the spell caster, but misses by a long shot.

Claw: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (8) + 0 = 8
Damage: 1d3 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

Loki moves behind cover again, and keeps far enough away to not be caught in a casual area effect spell with Cakkarak again.

HP: 29/33
AC 12

Nogglegrop, Loki and Kur'plugh avoid much of the sting of the spells.

Kwen, normally the fleetest of foot in the goodly group, gets caught with his proverbial pants down and is burned by the blaze.

Swenj attempt to avoid the necromancer's spell, but is unsuccessful and feels his very essence being drawn out of him and cannibalized by Loki.

Fort Save (Swenj vs. DC 19 Lifespike): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11 (fail)

Kwen darts away from the spot, looking at Swenj he promises murder in his eyes and moves closer, looking to get into melee reach, pulling his Kurki, that is poisoned, he strikes at the remover of hearts.

Swenj (standing above the passageway that crosses below this one, within a single move action of all of the group save Nogglegrop) casually awaits the attack of the rogue.

Battlemap

Kwen covers the distance between the acrid area where Zaruksis' flesh burns and Swenj in short order (single move action). He finds a strange ally in Loki's pet, which permits him the opportunity to flank the wizard should he choose to do so: desperation makes strange bedfellows.

The half elf feels the satisfying sink of his poisoned kurkri into the man's body, and watches as blood washes over his blade. The man is surprised by the nefarious tactics, which allows the poison to affect maximum damage.

Fort Save (Swenj vs. DC 15 poison): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Poison Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 6) = 12

The poison will work its way to the man's most important organs, but his system will shed it before the damage is too severe.

Fort Save (Swenj vs. DC 15 poison in 10 rounds): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Poison Damage (in 10 rounds): 4d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 6, 6) = 24

Swenj has seen better days (29 damage taken), but is barely scratched. There is more to this man than one might first imagine.

Piter feels an irrational fear grip him, as something attempts to wrest control of his mind from him, and his worst fears come true as fear itself wins, stomping on his will and proudly claiming victory. It reminds him of certain days training with his master, Kiann Colmar, when he believed his master was going to kill him, or worse.

Will save vs. Fear: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13 (failure)

In response he waves his sword at nothing, and then can't help but run away from the Wizard, no, Enchanter, who had done this to him. He runs back from whence he came, to the west and then away up north, and doesn't stop, yet.

"There is... I must get out of here!"

(HP 37/37, Mana 7/8, fear for two rounds, ending at end of next round)

Revery takes in the confusion like a complex show at a playhouse. There is much happening.

Spellcrafts vs.:
Disease Cloud 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 20
Poison Bolt 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 25

He feels the poison continue through his veins (1d4 ⇒ 2 damage), and then some sort of contagion cloud engulfs him, but he miraculously manages to shake off its effect.

Fort Save vs. Disease Cloud: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19 (success)

Further spells are cast, both by the Teir'Dal and by the newcomer, who he has seen before and Revery knows as Swenj; and Revery tries to place the spells:

Frost Spiral 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (16) + 18 = 34
Firestorm 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (15) + 18 = 33
Lifespike 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (3) + 18 = 21

Revery figures success is worth repeating, so he casts Fear again, this time at Swenj, and finally another quickened Shallow Breath at him too.

Gwendalyn scrambles to dodge the rain of fire that hails down on them, but gets scorched a little anyway. She has no idea what the cold spell is -- aside from an indication that the other group is not actually working with Swenj -- but she immediately recognizes the spell that hit her, and adds her voice to Loki's warning. "It's a Firestorm! Move!"

The Halasite mystic swiftly strengthens Bast and heals Kwen a little, since he looks to have zigged when he should've zagged. Then she takes her own advice and moves south out of the rain of fire, deciding to attack the powerful wizard first and deal with their other foes later. Gwen's two-handed hammer lands on Swenj like a falling boulder, as she attempts to blow through his defenses (if any) by sheer brute force.

Kur'Plugh shrugs off the fire with a grunt, then moves forward to the new comer casting a quickened frost rift on Swenj. Getting into melee with his 10ft reach, takes a swing.

Seeing Zaruksis go down like a sack of meat and scales, Cakkarak had begun to take a few steps forward. Mentally, the monk was preparing himself to engage the Beastlord and his warder. He had planned on keeping the vah shir in between his scales and the tigers claws and fangs.

The newest humaniod to enter combat changed his plans with a few flicks of his fingers and words of the arcane magics.

Cold sought to freeze the iksar where he stood.

The surprise of a new hostile caster had stolen some of the fine edge to the monk's reflexes. Unable to dodge the spell, Cakkarak gasps in pain and shock as he is blasted by the contained blizzard. It was as if all of his time on that cursed frozen island had been wrapped into one spell. The iksar's earslits hear Loki crying out fro them to get out of the way of where the fire had appeared. 'No argument here,' the monk thinks briefly.

Glaring at the caster, his normally cold, green eyes burning with anger, Cakkarak moves with the quickness. Pummeling the mage into bloody, broken bits of dead flesh would serve best to warm the half-frozen monk.

As the iksar felled, Sajeek was turning his attention to the next of the slavers, eager to shred their flesh with his claws. So caught up in the battle, Sajeek hadn't noticed Swenj's entrance. Until his world burst into flames that is.

Both of the feline's instincts had warned them a fraction of a heart beat before the flames suddenly sprang to life. The tiger suddenly leaps from where he was standing, just as Sajeek throws himself backwards. Being the graceful creatures that they are, both stay on their feet. Not really a surprise concerning Bast.

Patting a spot of smoldering fur, Sajeek spots Swenj. A horrible smile peels the vah shir's lips back from his sharp teeth. A hunters smile greets the caster. Here was the man whom spent his time destroying families and torturing children to keep women in line. Here was the coward who used the battered bit of goodwill that some people manage to retain to kill families.

"I'm going to drown you in corpse water, vile bastard." Sajeek growls, just before lashing out with a claw. The vah shir hadn't even realized that he had run up to the caster.

Bast growls deep in his throat, the spark of fire had surprised the big cat more then it had really hurt him. Bast didn't liked surprises, as the magic user was about to find out. Roaring the big cat charges to shred the flesh of the one whom hurt him. Besides, his nostrils were filled with the stink of charred reptile.

The two female slaves that the group met use the distraction of the battle to slide along the area of rocky debris and descend into the passageway that goes beneath the one that Swenj currently stands upon. This is where the noises of the picks being employed had come from. The lead slave holds the key, that Nogglegrop had handed over, like a broadsword. This was the endgame and they knew it.

Somewhere a being, most likely a child, is bleeding, or has bled out, judging by the state of Swenj's garb. Should it be bleeding then there is no time to waste, and sufficient healing reserves need to be maintained. The quandary one is left with is the wonder is how much time the child, or children, have left, and how much mana needs to be kept to save their lives. The goodly group has pressing matters awaiting them.

Those with a nefarious coldness flowing through their ichor pump recognize an opening in the doe-eyed goodly forces craning their necks toward the two south tunnels. Considering that Zaruksis is dead, and they are unlikely to survive this exchange, escape is looking vital. Light can be seen in the tunnel to the west, after one climbs the ladder. All other escapes appear to have climbing as a prerequisite.

Every member of the group, save Loki, notices the slight bulges under Swenj's voluminous clothing, suggestive of two bulky, squishy sacks. Considering the amount of blood on him you hypothesize that the psychotic human might be carting around a harvest of innocent hearts.

Search (Cakkarak): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15 (success)
Search (Kur'plugh): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19 (success)
Search (Loki): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 (fail)
Search (Piter): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 (success)

Kur'plugh has his back to Piter, so he does not see the shadowknight turn coward and rush past Cakkarak and Loki.

Loki tracks the human's movements thinking, "I don't blame you, but next time take us too."

Swenj clears his throat and simply smiles at Revery as he pushes off the spells as if they were not even cast.

Will Save (vs. DC 21 fear): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31 (success)
Fort Save (vs. DC 20 shallow breath): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 (success)

Nogglegrop looks torn, but motors his little legs to cover ground toward Swenj, since it was unlikely that the human would drop another area affect spell on himself. En route he tosses a healing spell at the poisoned Revery (44/50 mana).

Minor Healing (Revery): 1d10 ⇒ 1

Poison Bolt (round 1): 1d6 ⇒ 6
Poison Bolt (round 2): 1d4 ⇒ 2

Gwendalyn bashes Swenj, feeling the satisfying explosion of exhalation from his lungs as he is winded. She understands that Revery has been poisoned, and likely Nogglegrop as well.

Kur'plugh (9/12 mana) starts the process of casting a quickened spell, but does not have the magical energy to continue with the attack (requires 12 mana to cast a quickened frost rift). The ogre moves forward and finds his strike missing until he utilizes the distraction of the barbarian's attack and uses it to his advantage (flanking bonus provided to both).

Cakkarak finds himself standing opposite Nogglegrop, and the gnome's eyes blaze with ire. The tactical positioning affords him the opportunity to strike though.

Both Sajeek and Bast tear into the man's supple flesh.

Those of the evil group, that had discerned the nature of the bulges, can only hope that there is not a bias against mangled hearts. Hopefully heart salsa was sufficient.

Perhaps there was something to this immortality thing, since Swenj has taken a number of wounds that would fell 20 men (79 damage taken), but still stands there looking ready for a fight.

Swenj points at his own feet and releases two spells in rapid succession.

The first was well known to Loki and Cakkarak.

Frost Spiral of Al'Kabor (quickened): 3d10 ⇒ (8, 1, 10) = 19 (note: cold damage)

(those in melee range of Swenj - please include a DC 18 reflex save in your next post to only take half damage from the attack)

Random (by alpha): 1d2 ⇒ 1

The next attack is directed at Loki, and it is more than enough magic to kill anyone on the battlefield (incurs AoO from all melee present). A powerful blast of electrical energy surges around the necromancer.

Shock of Lightning: 5d10 ⇒ (1, 1, 2, 2, 2) = 8 (note: electrical damage)

(please include a DC 18 reflex save in your next post to only take half damage from the attack)

Revery and Loki recognize that it is not safe to stand aside, while the battle rages, though in glancing off to the side they recognize that their tactics are identical. It is hard to find common ground, since Revery, like Nogglegrop, are dealing with the necromancer's damage over time spell rotting their flesh.

Perhaps Piter had the right stratagem of running until he hits Luclin.

(end of round)
(start of new round)

(please update your mana and hit point total in your next post)

Loki (22/26 hit points, 21/42 mana, minor shielding: +2 AC/+2 hit points) glances back and recognizes that only a fraction of the spell had hit him (4 damage), and the rest had blasted a significant chunk out of the far wall.

Reflex Save (vs. DC 18 Shock of Lightning): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18 (success)

The necromancer gulps and grudgingly thanks Innoruuk for his intercession.

Revery decides to try his most powerful offensive spell on this caster, even though he hasn't had a lot of luck with it (Eye of Confusion on Swenj). After casting this, he tries another Shallow Breath on him, and then moves south to the boulders, but keeping out of the Firestorm area. He continues to feel the poison coursing through his veins, although it is lessened by Nogglegrop's battlefield ministrations.