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When Quiella shouts, the young elf nearly drops his rapier. For an instant, one might think he was seeing it turn into a viper again. But hangs onto it and seems to steel himself, though the expression on his face is an odd mixture of guilt, repentance, and righteous defiance.
"But I had to!" he finally blurts out. "If not, you would surely have struck me down." He looks away, "..you probably will anyway.." The next words come out in a rush, "You just said you cannot abide torture. And there's no way you'd stand by and watch a woman tortured..... THAT way.. even if they would do that to you in a heartbeat. They deserve nothing better." He looks back at the paladin and nearly spits out the words, "None of them do. They are all vile, evil creatures and each of them should personally suffer every abomination they've ever committed!" He holds his hands up in a 'stop/wait' motion. "Sure, I know it would never happen. Not under your watch. And that is good.... but then.. when I realized that, I felt a tiny pang of regret." The horror is clear on his face. "I had to!" he pleads, "I was afraid. I had to get rid of the temptation!" His shoulders sag and he turns his back to the party. You can barely hear him whisper, "Because, for a second, I thought that it might be fun."
For the first time in Mel's memory, a disgusted sneer crosses Quiella's mouth. "Ah, so maintaining your righteousness was more important than her life." She narrows her eyes at him "I see where your priorities are." She shakes her head at him.
"Are you a Pharasman priest, then, to be doling out judgments about who deserves what?"Vailis gives back a harsh look at Quiella and spits at the floor "Drows" and he saves back his healing wand strongly into his belt.
The half-elf listens carefully at Quiella's words before intervening "As you are a gnome, I will not blame you for your ignorance at what these beasts are. Do you know Rovagug?" he points back at the drows "You of course know about the Enemy of the Gods. The Worldbreaker took the souls of those elves too proud of themselves to start their travel to Sovyrian, and transform all good and independence feeling that there is in the elven blood and transform it into evilness and rage"
"Would had you read about the Grave day, the day the elves returned to discover the drow below the Calphiak Mountains and they killed elves on the hundreds..." the Summoner's front becomes full of sorrow as he continues his speech "Would you had been elf, you would had heard hundreds of stories of the Collapse day, when those monsters gave for all welcome a slaughter to the elves, collapsing the ancient ruins of Celwynvian over our heads. If you had known about all these you would know those are monsters, hands of the evil-most of gods, do not let them confuse you by their external resemblance to elves or humans, as there is no such humanity in them"
"Do not let your hand tremble to slay them, as it does not when it comes to undead and demons, as they are abominations of this world no less of those. If we end with them here today, coldlessly, it is just for a higher purpose, so they cannot continue their agenda in this world." he negates with his head "Do not doubt they are after something in this tower, something evil, and that "She" they said, is still away and on track to fulfill their purpose. And we are the only force here to stop that happening"
"So now Quiella, do not let your good feelings and innocence to interfere and let Heccan do its work to uncover what is the plan they are after" the half-elf offers a dark grin to the gnome "And if they are after doing good in the world or protect those innocent I promise I will be in your side to protect them from any danger"
"There is no created creature that can be so twisted from its original form that none of its original goodness remains. You say these drow were elves once; so they were. There is elf in them still. Though they resist it, though they refuse it, they must be given the chance to repent and redeem themselves, as Sarenrae teaches." She pauses for a moment as Valik adds his comments.
Valik listens to Mel’s words flow from his mouth. His jaw hangs open, as Mel spouts words of anger.
Mel! While I understand the logic of what you say, and how they very well may torture us the first chance they get...that means we MUST be better than them. We must offer a chance at redemption, at atonement, even if they reject it with blasphemous intention. If you sink to their level, you become them. Is that what you truly want young man, to become the evil, vile creature you seem to hate so much? I for one don’t, and it’s OUR attempt to alter their course and actions that allow us the liberties we have. Mel, think long and hard on what you want
Quiella gives an emphatic nod. "We can not make a claim to be good and just--we can not make a claim that we are not evil--if we practice evil. Torture is an evil act, as is murder." She returns her attention to Mel, "You murdered that woman just now, Mel. She was immobile and defenseless, and you slew her. You are no judge and jury; you can make no claim to any right to end her life." She turns to Vailis "If we resort to torturing that Drow, we are no better than they!"
Heccan shakes his head as the party has a moment of discontent. The crafty former barrister surveys the group and carefully watches their interactions. After a while, he allows his fellow agents to cool before addressing Quiella.
"My good Lady , a moment if I may." Heccan motions the gnome to a quiet corner before speaking to her privately, but within earshot of the party.
Quiella refuses to leave the unconscious Drow prisoner.
"First, let me assure you I have no intent to torture anyone or anything, deserve it though they may. No, Quiella, the curse of my birthright allows me to persuade, quite effectively, just about anyone given enough time. I have several compelling magics that I employ, especially now as our time is short. In fact, should my methods prove effective, I may just save this vile creature's life."
Quiella gives a curt nod.
"But, in any event, I implore you not to be too hard on our elven brethren. Both Melufious and Vailis fought valiantly against a determined and capable foe, and I speak from experience that this mission is far more deadly than advertised, though I cannot say that I am surprised by that at this point." Hecaan says and offers Quiella a wickedly charming smile before continuing. "Fact of the matter is that this is akin to war. Libraries are filled with volumes detailing the difficulties of warriors preparing to take another person's life and more importantly the difficulty of knowing when to stop. I for one am humbled by your courage and discipline and your ability to spare life to those who wish us harm and undoubtedly are not deserving of your mercy. You are a beacon to us all, but forgive our soldiers for lacking the discipline to end their battle rage, even when the fight is over. They, as we, are but mortals and frankly are in a desperate struggle for survival, allow me to aid us in that regard." Heccan bows low to Quiella before approaching that captive.
"There are right and wrong ways to fight wars. Yes, wars are full of injustices and atrocities; the slaying of prisoners is one of them."
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Quiella's words knock the wind out of the young elf. His mouth opens as a dozen different defenses begin to form in his mind. But nothing comes out. His legs begin to weaken until he finds himself sitting crosslegged on the ground, only half aware of how he got there. She's right. is all he can think
Zephyrus knows the following about the screaming plant. It is a mandragora, a plant creature that forms when a mandrake root has drawn nutrition from the corpse or ichor of a demon. Along with its nauseating shriek, it can drain blood if it grapples a victim, it has resistances to acid, cold, and electric, it possesses a poison that creates both confusion and fatigue, and finally it is slowed when in supernatural darkness.
Zephrus and Melufiuos know the pretty male demons are Incubi. These evil outsiders have spell resistance, are resistant to damage from weapons that are not cold iron or good, are immune to electricity and poison, and resist acid, cold, and fire.
Melufiuos knows the shadow creature is a Shadow Demon. These creature have spell resistance and are incorporeal.
Zephyrus can tell that the elf on the wall appears to have been in some sort of combat with cuts and puncture wounds. He may have also been tortured.
* * *
Zephyrus tosses a plague bomb into the smaller room and burns the mandragora somewhat severely, although the Incubi completely resist the fire. The creatures in the room resist getting sick by the bomb, with the exception of the blue incubus, although he does not go blind.
Heccan quickly casts a spell to turn invisible again.
Valik moves up the doorway and punches the shadow demon, although half of the damage is resisted by its incorporeal nature.
Melufiuos points his wand of Sponteanous Immolation at the Shadow Demon, but the creature completely resists the magic.
Still resisting the contagious fumes, the mandragora makes haste out of the room and attempts to slam Zephyrus with its poisonous claws. Fortunately, the alchemist's armor shields him from the attack.
The black incubus also resists the disease and teleports next to Melufiuos while it draws its scimitar
The blue incubus also moves out of the room and attack Coco with his scimitar. The weapon solidly connects into the eidolon, and the injury is enough to return the eidolon to his home plane.
Initiative (Round 1)
Shadow Demon {Orange}
Valik [6 Damage]
Zephyrus [1 Damage; 1 Con Damage; Life link with Quiella]
Heccan [1 Damage]
Melufiuos [3 Damage; Life link with Quiella]
Mandragora {Red}
2 Incubi {Black, Blue}
Quiella <= Up
Vailis/Coco [Vailis: Life Link with Quiella; C: 41 Damage --Gone?] <= Up
Zephyrus stabs the filthy plant monster as it passes by him, but none of the electric damage seems to hurt it.
Quiella recharges her magical armor and moves forward.
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Coco attempts to finish the creature, but then he is bewildered and destroyed by the incubi "You will pay for that!" Vailis menaces back.
The half-elf starts performing strange arcane movements and summons an augmented archon hound to fight the incubi at the front door.
Spotting the devil in front, the archon immediately starts his relentless attacks with his greatsword!
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Valik punches the mandragora as it passes by, while Coco's claw misses the plant creature.
Vailis casts a summoning spell and a Hound Archon appears where Coco formerly was standing. It immediately attacks the incubus that defeated the eidolon, hitting it only with its first strike this time, but doing full damage.
It would appear that only the Mandragora is affected by the Archon's aura of menace.
Now the Shadow Demon finds itself affected by the Blinding Sickness, despite having no appreciable strength to begin with. Becoming blind as well, it decides to even the playing field as it steps back and casts Deeper Darkness. In response, the Mandragora squeals in protest.
Initiative (Round 2)
Shadow Demon {Orange}
Valik [6 Damage] <= Up
Zephyrus [1 Damage; 1 Con Damage; Life link with Quiella] <= Up
Heccan [1 Damage; Life Link with Quiella] <= Up
Melufiuos [3 Damage; Life link with Quiella] <= Up
Mandragora {Red}
2 Incubi {Black, Blue}
Quiella
Vailis/Coco [Vailis: Life Link with Quiella; C: 41 Damage --Gone?]
Note: The combat area is pitch black, you cannot see anything.
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Mel is definitely looking around for traps and stuff. He offers his ioun torch to Valik or any of the humans. If no one wants it, he'll start it around his own head, just so they have light. He burns a charge on his shield wand as they get close.
perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31 (Hey, does Lady Beltona (parrot on my head) complain about the ioun torch?)
His rapier and wand of immolation are in his hands.
The creature cannot see. It takes a –2 penalty to Armor Class, loses its Dexterity bonus to AC (if any), and takes a –4 penalty on most Strength– and Dexterity-based skill checks and on opposed Perception skill checks. All checks and activities that rely on vision (such as reading and Perception checks based on sight) automatically fail. All opponents are considered to have total concealment (50% miss chance) against the blinded character. Blind creatures must make a DC 10 Acrobatics skill check to move faster than half speed. Creatures that fail this check fall prone. Characters who remain blinded for a long time grow accustomed to these drawbacks and can overcome some of them.
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Just as Mel was getting a bead on the screaming plant thing, the lights go out. "Dang it! What in the Earth Mother's tomb is this?" Continuing to curse to himself, the magus drops the wand in his hand to pull out his cold iron hand axe and wand of True Strike. Briefly, the cursing changes as he hums an arcane charge into his hand axe.
With the darkness removing the opportunity to light up the mandragora with fire, Melufiuos opts instead to attack the Incubus that teleported south of him. His attack misses outright.
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Using Acrobatics to keep his footing and avoid attacks if the enemies can still see, Valik retreats to the previous room where his sight returns.
Zephyrus attacks the area where the mandragora was found and hits something with his second strike.
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Heccan calls upon his power and attempts to dissipate the supernatural darkness surrounding his fellow agents.
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S
EFFECT
Range medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Target or Area one spellcaster, creature, or object
Duration instantaneous
Saving Throw none; Spell Resistance no
DESCRIPTION
You can use dispel magic to end one ongoing spell that has been cast on a creature or object, to temporarily suppress the magical abilities of a magic item, or to counter another spellcaster’s spell. A dispelled spell ends as if its duration had expired. Some spells, as detailed in their descriptions, can’t be defeated by dispel magic. Dispel magic can dispel (but not counter) spell-like effects just as it does spells. The effect of a spell with an instantaneous duration can’t be dispelled, because the magical effect is already over before the dispel magic can take effect.
You choose to use dispel magic in one of two ways: a targeted dispel or a counterspell.
Targeted Dispel: One object, creature, or spell is the target of the dispel magic spell. You make one dispel check (1d20 + your caster level) and compare that to the spell with highest caster level (DC = 11 + the spell’s caster level). If successful, that spell ends. If not, compare the same result to the spell with the next highest caster level. Repeat this process until you have dispelled one spell affecting the target, or you have failed to dispel every spell.
For example, a 7th-level caster casts dispel magic, targeting a creature affected by stoneskin (caster level 12th) and fly (caster level 6th). The caster level check results in a 19. This check is not high enough to end the stoneskin (which would have required a 23 or higher), but it is high enough to end the fly (which only required a 17). Had the dispel check resulted in a 23 or higher, the stoneskin would have been dispelled, leaving the fly intact. Had the dispel check been a 16 or less, no spells would have been affected.
You can also use a targeted dispel to specifically end one spell affecting the target or one spell affecting an area (such as a wall of fire). You must name the specific spell effect to be targeted in this way. If your caster level check is equal to or higher than the DC of that spell, it ends. No other spells or effects on the target are dispelled if your check is not high enough to end the targeted effect.
If you target an object or creature that is the effect of an ongoing spell (such as a monster summoned by summon monster), you make a dispel check to end the spell that conjured the object or creature.
If the object that you target is a magic item, you make a dispel check against the item’s caster level (DC = 11 + the item’s caster level). If you succeed, all the item’s magical properties are suppressed for 1d4 rounds, after which the item recovers its magical properties. A suppressed item becomes nonmagical for the duration of the effect. An interdimensional opening (such as a bag of holding) is temporarily closed. A magic item’s physical properties are unchanged: A suppressed magic sword is still a sword (a masterwork sword, in fact). Artifacts and deities are unaffected by mortal magic such as this.
You automatically succeed on your dispel check against any spell that you cast yourself.
Counterspell: When dispel magic is used in this way, the spell targets a spellcaster and is cast as a counterspell. Unlike a true counterspell, however, dispel magic may not work; you must make a dispel check to counter the other spellcaster’s spell.
Heccan attempts to dispel the darkness, but does quite summon up the necessary power to remove it.
The mandragora makes a single attempt to harm Zephyrus, but it misses.
The blue Incubus attacks the Archon twice, yet only hits it once for very little damage.
The black Incubus tries to hit Melufiuos twice and fails to strike both times.
Forgot the Mandragora was Slowed.
Initiative (Round 2)
Shadow Demon {Orange}
Valik [6 Damage]
Zephyrus [1 Damage; 1 Con Damage; Life link with Quiella]
Heccan [1 Damage; Life Link with Quiella]
Melufiuos [3 Damage; Life link with Quiella]
Mandragora {Red}
2 Incubi {Black, Blue}
Quiella <= Up
Vailis/Hound Archon [Vailis: Life Link with Quiella] <= Up
Note: The combat area is pitch black, you cannot see anything. The border of the darkness is the door to the previous room.
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Quiella calls upon Erastil's favor to strengthen her attacks.
Vailis pulls out a wand and gives himself a magical Shield.
The archon attacks the nearby Incubus with two sword attacks and one bite. The first sword strike and the bite make contact, injuring the demon and leaving the archon with a bad taste in his mouth.
The archon then is attacked by the Shadow Demon, which touches him with its incorporeal attacks three times, one of them critically.
Initiative (Round 3)
Shadow Demon {Orange}
Valik [6 Damage] <= Up
Zephyrus [1 Damage; 1 Con Damage; Life link with Quiella] <= Up
Heccan [1 Damage; Life Link with Quiella] <= Up
Melufiuos [3 Damage; Life link with Quiella] <= Up
Mandragora {Red}
2 Incubi {Black, Blue}
Quiella
Vailis/Hound Archon [Vailis: Life Link with Quiella; HA: 20 Damage]
Note: The combat area is pitch black, you cannot see anything. The border of the darkness is the door to the previous room.
Zephyrus hits what he presumes is the Mandragora with his first weapon attack, although the second just hits empty air.
Melufiuos uses his wand of True Strike to make sure he hits the Incubus to the south of him.
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Heccan again tries to dispel the darkness plaguing his companions, drawing further power from forbidden knowledge gleaned from a trip through time itself.
Timelost Chronicler is found on the Chronicle for 7-00 Sky Key Solution, I can provide copy of boon if necessary.
Valik begins to dispense helpful advice again as he moves back into the darkness.
Heccan makes another attempt at dispelling the darkness, and this time the inky blackness retreats and sight is restored for everyone.
The Mandragora moves five feet out of a flank and attacks Quiella with its bite and two slams. None of these attacks break through the well protected Oracle/Paladin's armor.
The blue Incubus moves into a flank with the Shadow Demon to attack the Archon and hits it twice with his Scimitar. Thanks to its resistance, however, the attacks do no damage to the Archon.
The black Incubus has no such issues as it attacks Melufiuos, hitting the elf twice with his weapon.
Initiative (Round 3)
Shadow Demon {Orange}
Valik [6 Damage]
Zephyrus [1 Damage; 1 Con Damage; Life link with Quiella]
Heccan [1 Damage; Life Link with Quiella]
Melufiuos [16 Damage; 11 on Quiella's Turn; Life link with Quiella]
Mandragora {Red}
2 Incubi {Black, Blue}
Quiella [5 Damage on her turn] <= Up
Vailis/Hound Archon [Vailis: Life Link with Quiella; HA: 20 Damage] <= Up
Group Effects
Inspire Courage (Advice): +2 to rolled att/dam, +2 to fear, charm saves
Quiella casts Challenge Evil on the black Incubus, but cannot get past its Spell Resistance.
Vailis casts Haste on the party, while the archon defeats the mandragora with its critical first blow and hits the blue incubus with its bite and last attack.
The shadow demon moves through walls to set itself up to attack Quiella with a bite, but completely misses.
Initiative (Round 4)
Shadow Demon {Orange}
Valik [6 Damage] <= Up
Zephyrus [1 Damage; 1 Con Damage; Life link with Quiella] <= Up
Heccan [1 Damage; Life Link with Quiella] <= Up
Melufiuos [11 Damage; 6 on Quiella's Turn; Life link with Quiella] <= Up
2 Incubi {Black, Blue}
Quiella [5 Damage; 10 Damage on her turn]
Vailis/Hound Archon [Vailis: Life Link with Quiella; HA: 20 Damage]
Group Effects
Inspire Courage (Advice): +2 to rolled att/dam, +2 to fear, charm saves
Haste: +1 att, AC, Ref, Double Speed, +1 attack if full-attacking
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Heccan smirks as the darkness dissipates. Finally being able to see the enemy, he looks about the room to assess the situation. Seeing Mel engaged with a fiend in solo combat, he attempts to aid the magus. The Chelaxian's hands jet out towards the beast, launching a series of arcane projectiles at the Mel's foe.
Valik returns to the room and knocks the blue incubus off its feet. He does note, however, that it is a flying creature.
Despite using his wand of True Strike, Melufiuos misses with his first attack. His subsequent strike, however, hits the black incubus.
A barrage of Magic Missiles erupts from an empty square to slam into the black incubus, who notes with a frown where they approximately came from.
Zephyrus moves through the difficult terrain of the fungi, leaving him with only one bow attack. The projectile hits, but the acid appears to do no damage at all.
The prone blue incubus attempts to concentrate to avoid being attacked while using a spell-like ability, but it loses the spell.
Apparently angry about the magic missiles, the black incubus steps past Melufiuos and attacks the empty space where the missiles originated. He begins to question his choice when neither scimitar thrust hits anything but air.
Initiative (Round 4)
Shadow Demon {Orange}
Valik [6 Damage]
Zephyrus [1 Damage; 1 Con Damage; Life link with Quiella]
Heccan [1 Damage; Life Link with Quiella]
Melufiuos [11 Damage; 6 on Quiella's Turn; Life link with Quiella]
2 Incubi {Black, Blue}
Quiella [5 Damage; 10 Damage on her turn] <= Up
Vailis/Hound Archon [Vailis: Life Link with Quiella; HA: 20 Damage] <= Up
Group Effects
Inspire Courage (Advice): +2 to rolled att/dam, +2 to fear, charm saves
Haste: +1 att, AC, Ref, Double Speed, +1 attack if full-attacking
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Vailis readies his crossbow while moving back to the entrance, and loads a cold iron bolt " ਤੂੰ ਅਥਾਹ ਕੁੰਡ ਵਿਚ ਇਸ ਟਾਵਰ ਵਿਚ ਕੀ ਕਰ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈਂ?"
"What are you doing in this tower spawn of the Abyss?!"
Meanwhile the Hound keeps its fight at the fallen incubus, but steps near the black one to offer a flank to Mel.
While Vailis steps away and loads his crossbow, the archon hits the blue incubus with its first strike and the demon is returned to the Abyss where it came from. It turns the reminder of its attacks on the black incubus and that demon becomes unsummoned as well.