In the safety of his underground hiding hole, Ehren realizes that he was apparently wrong. At least in his case, earth elementals could, in fact, vomit. Fortunately, the sorry sight and sound of him expelling mud and gravel from his mouth is known only to himself. As his body finally stops convulsing, the druid finds it substantially easier to focus on the task at hand. Hoping that nothing has gone horrifically wrong in his selfish absence, Ehren abruptly resurfaces and glances about to get a grasp of the situation, having only had muffled sounds to go by before. However, he finds himself face to face with a rather large, green cloud.
"Is it dead?" he asks no one in particular, unable to see the slain nyogoth. Noticing the sorry state that Valaria is in, his mouth curls into a frown. "Maybe we should retreat and help Isilme. We might well have gotten the warlord's attention by now, and some of us could use healing."
Valaria is up!
"I'm pretty sure we dismembered it enough to make it dead. And it stopped moving, so I'm going to count that as a win." She nods at Ehren's plan and heads slowly back toward the remains of the battle.
"We should finish sending Snil back to the Abyss, if nothing else. We should probably leave someone able to see the mage, and invisible, here to watch for anyone to try to leave, so we have warning."
From within the fog, Hinagiku ponders Ehren's suggestion.
"Yes, Valaria and I do need to be healed.... but I also agree with Ary: leaving the entrance of the cave unobserved would not be best... we could send someone to get clerics to heal us while the others keep guard here?"
"I guess the commander deciding to come out while we're not paying attention would be a bit of a problem. Okay, so who wants to stand guard?"
"I can stay," Ehren suggests, pointing to the advantages of his current form. "If worse comes to worst, I'll have no trouble retreating. And I believe Xanderghul can see invisibility...?"
He is stable.
Valaria is up!
"I think Xanderghul is the best choice. It also means if he's careful he can completely ruin the mage's day - which is something I'm sure he'd enjoy a great deal."
"Great. You two should be able to keep an eye on the place. Feel free to get a couple of blows in on the disgusting assh*le while you're at it. I'm sure he deserves it." Val turns and heads back toward the army.
Hinagiku is up!
"Understood. I'll send the creature back to the abyss before leaving the fog.... sorry, but there won't be a body to kick." she adds, her kitsune mind partly taking over.
Then, without pity for the qlippoth, Hinagiku strikes it multiple times.
You strike at the nyogoth's body several times. It is bleeding from several wounds, and parts of its body are starting to evaporate into ash and ichor.
Anevia and Ary are up!
You arrive back in town, stepping over the bodies of many dead cultist soldiers... thankfully you don't see any bodies of your own crusaders, though the snow is stained red with blood nonetheless.
"Valaria! It is good to see you!" exclaims Sosiel. "You look hurt. Come here.." He grasps her shoulder and channels positive energy into her, healing over the worst of her wounds. "Ech. Don't take this the wrong way but... you kind of smell like vomit. You're still pretty hurt.. come, I can take you to the sick bay."
The rangers move the women out of the way, though they suffer a few minor cuts in the process. Ayavah continues to pummel Skerr'esh with violet missiles from afar, and Ser Ilivan steps in to help his fellow knight, thinking to plunge his sword into the cultist's heart, but is foiled by the gnoll's enchantment - his blade missing the creature's actual position entirely.
Anevia helps Ary pick up her arms and re-don it, then ducks back behind cover. At this moment, a small group of crusaders arrives (about 15 men and women total), lead by Aron Kir.
"Commander! We've won! Well... basically. A few stragglers, but the fight is nearly over," He smiles, then glances at the green smog filling the mine with some concern. "Did... did you take care of their leader, already? You guys look a little worn down. Father Cassiel is setting up a sickbay in one of their longhouses. I can lead you there, if you like." He fidgets agitatedly with the hilt of his blade.
Round 10!
Xanderghul is up!
"Hi Sosiel," Val groans. "Yeah, yeah I probably do. Most of these burns are from qlippoth stomach acid. And I might have heaved once or twice." She groans as his magic grows new flesh over several of the angry burns on her skin. "Thanks, I would appreciate that, but make it fast. The commander is still holed up in the mines and I need to get back out there fast."
A frown flickers across Ary's face for a moment - the entire battle was over in the time she'd spent lying in slime and snow. As Anevia - well accustomed to helping her partner get dressed - fixed her shield into place for her to strap on, she nods her thanks, trying to slip away from the negative emotions, especially given how out of place they were. She didn't need to be a hero, if everything was going well.
She shakes her head, half to escape from the short stupor and half to answer the question. "We haven't. We've taken down the pet, but the pet's spell is still in place, we were going to wait for it to end before moving forward, which meant coming to aid all of you, but it appears we're running a bit late... and took a lot more damage than intended. There's an invisible mage in there, we're relying on Xanderghul to keep us apprised of her movements... in case she comes back out."
She pauses, "Rocky, would it be safe for you to scout the mine from within the ground, or would the blood stones be problematic for you?"
Ehren sighs with relief when Aron delivers the good news. It seemed that in the time he had spent hiding underground, the army had managed to overcome the enemy.
"Safe? No, definitely not," he replies, shaking his head. "Problematic? Well, possibly. I do not know how deep into the mine I would have to go before reaching the blood stone, nor do we know of what other minions Brae-Hagen might have at his disposal." With a crooked smile, he adds, "But I will go regardless, if you wish."
Skerr'esh thrusts his spear heavily upwards at Isilme, only to have it clash against the steel of her rapier. She pushes it away and jabs her blade forwards with a counter-strike, but misjudges his location and misses him entirely.
Isilme is up!
Isilme is rather pleased to have parried the blow successfully, happy that learning from Valaria had paid off, even if she'd been unable to land the riposte. "Your kind has been saying that for the past century. Despite having the element of surprise and a near limitless supply of demons, you have not been able to claim victory in that time," Isilme pauses long enough for him to begin to retort before cutting him off. "Do enjoy your eternity at the bottom of the dung heap that will be your new home." She punctuates her statement with another thrust of her rapier, piercing his chest a second time with the tip of her blade.
Skerr'esh hisses as he is caught offguard by Isilme's aggressive assault. Her blade pierces through his robes and into his chest, drawing fresh blood. His knees buckle - the old gnoll is unlikely to live for much longer.
You can hear the sound of footsteps coming down the tunnel through the green fog...
The acidic fog burns your lungs and the inside of your sensitive vulpine nose despite Xanderghul's protective magic.
Ehren is up!
Ehren's eyes abruptly dart back to the entrance of the mine, the smile slipping from his face.
"Footsteps," he remarks to the others quietly. "I think someone is coming. This might be our chance."
The druid soundlessly slips back into the ground yet again, this time for more strategic reasons.
Xanderghul stands up, takes a step away from the acid fog and shouts, "Hinagiku, get out of the fog. Its been long enough." Xanderghul heard the pattern of steps, but doesnt know whether to think that it is Brae-Hagen or the elf. "Someone is coming."
Sosiel nods. "Of course, let's go." He leads her through the snow through the town. Several of the longhouses have clusters soldiers standing guard outside of them. Other soldiers are wandering through the streets, getting work done - looting bodies, keeping watch, carrying the injured. Finally they arrive at a well-lit bunker. He opens the door, revealing a make shift sickbay - the injured lay on the ground on furs while various clerics attend to their needs. Many have long quills sticking out of their arms and chests, evidence of battle against the howlers just moment before.
Aron frowns, gripping his shortsword tightly. "Orders, Commander?"
Hinagiku is up!
"You have my gratitude Sosiel." Val follows the cleric to the longhouse. She winces at the sight of so many men injured by fighting the beasts. "How long until a healer's free."
"Spread out and give a wide berth, anyone with ranged weapons should have them ready to fire on what comes out. I wouldn't expect it to be Brae-hagen, or the wizard... it's more likely something they summoned, or maybe a loaned abomination from our former Pathfinder friend. Be ready to fire, but show discipline."
Anevia simply rolls her eyes at the suggestion of showing discipline.
"Apologies, Commander, but we won't be able to take any shots in this weather, not with anything smaller than a catapult, at least," Aron replies.
Hinagiku gently kneels down into the gooey substance and makes her way out of the fog.
"Mr. Xanderghul, how long before the fog dissipates?" she asks gently once she emerges from the acid mist.
Anevia and Ary are up!
"If I understand correctly, about thirty seconds." he says. "We want to be outside of it so that we can see what might come up the mine, though."
"The grease spell will last longer - potentially up to ten minutes. I may need to dispel it if we want to move in on the mine with greater haste."
Ary stands up and finishes readying her gear, Anevia stays hidden.
Ayavah unleashes a final volley of purple missiles at Skerr'esh. The old gnoll finally succumbs to the many blades of the rangers surrounding him. He falls to the ground with a thud, bleeding out from his many wounds.
The bewitchment affecting the women dissipates and they come to slowly. They drop their weapons and retreat. They hold each other as many begin to cry. The women comfort each other in many tongues, ranging from Tien to Osiriani to Vudrani.
Ser Ilivan exhales, then murmurs into Message: "Hostages recovered. Two casualties on our side."
"Good job, Ser Ilivan, Chevalier Isilme," Irabeth calls back. "We have a medical building set up if you are wounded. Still no word from Commander Bishop at the mines. I sent Aron Kir and a small platoon to investigate. You should rendezvous with them if you are finished there and don't require healing."
"For you? No wait at all," Markus says passively, rushing by with his arms laden with a wooden box full of surgical supplies. He pauses, looking Valaria over. "Seems like you've been keeping yourself... busy." he says matter-of-factly. He turns and calls out to the room. "Soba, Viola, Hans. A moment of your time, please."
The three clerics walk over to the small group Markus sets his box down. "The four of you channeling should be enough... on my count..." The dhampir winces as the wave of positive energy washes over the room - while not harmful to him by default, it was still an unpleasant sensation.
He then moves over to Valaria and reaches out to the bite wound encircling her arm - easily the worst of the lot. "Tu medela." he murmurs, focusing as he channels his magic into it. The skin heals over, fresh and new, if not a little reddish and puffy from the recent trauma.
He surveys her for a moment. "Hmm. That's better. There's still some surface burns... we can have those attended to in a moment, if you have time."
The soldiers obediently spread out, giving the entrance of the mine a wide berth, though Aron stays at his Commander's side, trembling slightly.
Round 11
Xanderghul is up!
Xanderghul uses his free hand to pull a potion free from his belt, holding it out in front of Hinagiku. "It's a healing potion. Drink it." Then, he uncorks it and tips it into her mouth. "You're supposed to be going to get healed by the clerics, Hinagiku. Ehren and I are on watch."
He throws the empty bottle over his shoulder when he's done, loosening the binds on the scroll in his hands in anticipation of potential battle.
"Thank you." she answers, after licking clean her lips clean from some the dribbles: getting force fed liquid rarely goes without incident.
"... yes, but I could not leave the oni alive with an ally nearby... it being healed would have been really bad." she finishes, looking through the snowstorm, surprised that Valaria had already disappeared from view.
Isilme is up!
"Good work!" Isilme says to Ser Ilivan and those left. "I need to go check on things at the cave, will you take care of things here?" she says to Ser Ilivan.
"I am going to cave to join the others, we should have some additional forces head that way if things are wrapped up. We will likely lose access to message when I do, so make sure we have patrols and runners set up to relay information," she says to Irabeth through the spell.
Isilme dismounts and has Külə close his eyes so she can guide him out safely. Once they are out, she climbs atop him again and they begin the march towards the cave.
Markus tilts his head, listening to the Message spell he was wired into by Isilme and Ayavah. "Seems like Isilme is headed towards the mines right now." He glances across the sickbay, eyebrows furrowed. "Hum. Well we have our hands full right now with howler injuries. Unfortunately we didn't prepare Dequillinous spells beforehand, and we need to individually remove them by hand." He wrinkles his nose at the silence. "That... was a joke. Nevermind. Perhaps Sosiel could go with you? If I'm correct, he should still have healing spells prepared, and he is our best channeler."
Sosiel grins at compliment. "I'd be happy to come along. I'm a bit slow though, what with this armor."
"That's true. You could take Viola, then. She still has plenty of spells, but doesn't have the experience Sosiel has."
Suddenly, a figure emerges from the fog - a burly demonic man with enormous wings and enormous, curved horns. This can be none other than Warlord Brae-Hagen. He is accompanied with duplicates of himself, making it difficult to tell which one is the real man - though Commander Bishop is quick to test it - faster than she can even think, she slams Faith into the closest one, only to find it a mere illusion. He flies safely over the grease trap, his strong wings keeping him aloft even in the harsh wind. At his side is a shortspear with an intricate obsidian blade, and in his hand is a great, flaming whip.
"Ah. The Bishop who returned from the dead. Perhaps you have claimed victory here today, Chevalier, but I assure you, it will be your last. The work will be done. And the work will begin anew."
He lashes out with his whip. Its tip is covered in razor sharp teeth, and the end glows with blue flames. "Feel the sting of the whip of Teremthal, lord of balors!"
He lashes the whip into her - the flames burn paradoxically ice-cold, chilling to her the bone. It's hard to think through the pain, much less move...
At the same time Brae-Hagen shows up, only visible to you, the elf woman appears just out of the green fog. This time she is surrounded by magical, flying rapiers - they spin around five feet from her protecting her from all sides.
Attacking the caster will destroy the illusionary weapons one by one, similar to Mirror Image, though they do not negate incoming damage in any way.
Ehren is up!
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Xanderghul momentarily considers mocking Brae-Hagen, trying to taunt the half-balor into attacking him. It would be easy. The man's balor father was a failure, which makes Brae-Hagen himself a failure nearly by default. The thing about ancestry... it's a weakness just as much as it is a strength. But he keeps his mouth shut about Brae-Hagen's father, knowing that he has to be unoccupied in order to deal with the elven woman he brought with him. "That elf is back," he says. "I can take care of her if the rest of you can take Brae-Hagen."
Blindingly fast as the whipcrack may have been, it was followed by a twang. It wasn't a question of if Anevia could strike the whip in midflight but a question of if she would do it this time. She wasn't at all sure, but she'd be damned if she was just gonna let some twiddly fingers attach a live wire to her commander!
Anevia's reaction is near instantaneous - but despite her efforts the master archer's shot is just a second too late.
Ehren is up!