The rest of you look on in horror (well, except for Effie and Maria) as Hepsubia unleashes a vitriolic tirade against Altha the Scrivener. Akarah squeaks unintelligibly, her light flickering wildly in her distress, and you're pretty sure that if it could, Kitarlo's jaw would hit the floor and keep on going.
Through it all, the archon remains eerily silent. Even when Hepsubia is finished and the rest of you finally manage to find your voices, he does not speak - not until everyone falls silent themselves. He looks at the fiery elf, appearing about as impressed with her ranting as a hammer in a room full of windows.
"I see that children will be children, no matter how long they may live," Altha remarks with a shake of his head. "Children are rash and impetuous, acting without thinking and with little to no thought about how their actions affect others. I suggest that during your hunt for these errant souls that you think on just what you have unleashed here and who might suffer for your carelessness."
Turning to address Effie, he adds, "I do not know myself where or how the souls may be located. Perhaps-"
"Um...p-perhaps someone back in Heaven's Shore would know?" Akarah offers tentatively, her light flickering a very soft blue.
Altha the Scrivener considers this for a moment and then nods. "Yes, that is a reasonable conclusion to make. Akarah, while you are relieved of your duties here, you will act as guide to these mortals since they are not permitted to walk Heaven's slopes without an escort."
"Right! I will do my best, sir!" the lantern archon chirps, her light brightening a bit at the prospect of being given something else productive to do.
"See that you do," Altha nods. "Now go, mortals, and put right what has gone awry," he continues, now in a tone that will clearly brook no further argument. "And be aware - when you return from your hunt I must pass judgement on you for your reckless behavior. If you are found wanting, Kitarlo and all living members of your Pathfinder Society may be barred from returning to Heaven - permanently."
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The priest pales at Altha's words. The threat of not only his companions, but the whole of Pathfinder Society to be banned from Heaven has him motivated not to be 'that person' responsible for such a judgement.
With as much reserve as a cleric of Sarenrae stained with blood can exude, Parison takes his leave of the archon and hurries to catch up to Rumble. "Rumble!" he calls out. "Hold up. Altha suggested we head back to Heaven's Short to start our search for the missing souls."
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The judgement of Heaven is harsh. Can I live up to such standards? Is it even right? I have always thought a person should take responsibility for their own actions, but how can it be right to judge the whole Society by the actions of so few? And does Heaven care nothing for intent?
"Come on Akarah. We've work to do." Effie looks up at Altha, giving him a questioning, almost accusatory frown before following Parison out of the library.
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"Altha just assigned Akarak to watch over us," Parison remarked to Rumble as they move at an idle pace to allow everyone else to catch up. "Probably to also make sure we don't cause any more disruptions."
"Rumble," Parison said, his voice heavy. "Do you believe it's possible for a person to live by a code that is good and just in word and action only that when they reach their judgement in the Boneyard, they are denied the afterlife they sought while living and are placed somewhere that is the antithesis of everything they stood for?"
The cleric takes a deep breath and then utters one more thought. "Or if such a judgement affected not just that person, but all who knew that person as a family member, a close friend, or a fellow co-worker?"
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In the interests of being realistic I'm going to count one more round of bleed damage once the ritual concluded before you guys started patching yourselves up, since everyone was too busy talking to worry about bleeding everywhere :3
Zithembe had managed to stop his own bleeding right as the ritual concluded, and thus only suffers 1 round.
Current Status
Hepsubia: 2 points of ability damage to one score, your choice
Effie: 5 damage, 2 Int damage
Zithembe: 3 damage, 6 NL damage
Parison: 2 damage
Rumble: Good
Maria: 3 damage
"Akarah," the lantern archon is quick to correct Parison as she comes zooming along after you as you file out of the Great Library. "Akarak is my twin brother."
You're not sure if she's joking or being 100% serious.
She floats along, her light dimmer than usual, though it brightens a little when Rumble expresses concern about her own situation. "I...don't really know. This hasn't happened before. I suppose it will be up to Altha and maybe even Winlas himself," she remarks at last. "Maybe if you do a good job of putting everything back where it needs to go and if I do a good job in helping, they might go easy on us all."
As Parison poses a rather difficult question to his friend Rumble Akarah slows her speed just a little bit, as though interested to hear the dwarf's answer.
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Rumble is clearly taken aback by Parison's sudden and wordy philosophical inquiry. I just smash metal into more useful shapes and evil into less useful shapes, why would he care what it is I have to say?
"Aye, er, well... Aye think ih is possible fer such ah thing tah occur," he begins. "Tha word, the action, an' also tha intention are wha' ya need ta geh inta Heaven, ah least where aye'm concerned." He pauses for a moment to conjure up some sort of example.
"Like, if ya do all tha good things, an' all tha just' things, buh ya do it fer yerself or fer a reward or sum such, tha' wouldn' be a Heavenly person tah me. Nah tha' everythin' 'as tah be fer tha good o' tha community or ah personal cost, but there should be sum sorta ovah-archin' goodness in yer intentions all tha same, ya know?" he says, hoping he has given the Cleric what he is looking for.
"As tah others bein' affected, aye suppose ih would depend on if they're accessory tah the individual, but ih would seem ah little extreme as ah general rule..."
Aren't I supposed to be asking you that sorta question? Rumble's heavy brow collapses into a deep frown directed at his boots. Am I a Cleric now?
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Effie patches herself up..
...overhearing the tail end of Parison and Rumble's dialogue Effie pipes up: "I agree with you Rumble. It isn't fair to punish someone for the sins of another. If that's what Heaven does, well, it's not where I want to end up. I'm going to have words with that Scrivener fellow when we're done. But not now. My head hurts." and as if to emphasise her point, Effie rubs her temples. "The ole' happy stick isn't fixing it. Must be the effects of that ritual.
And that reminds me of something! How much did Kitarlo really know about what he was doing, and what he was getting us into? He's got some explaining to do!"
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"How quick the children of moments are to pass judgement upon the eternal," Zithembe says sadly and softly. "Blame Kitarlo for our failure? Chastise the rightful authorities in Heaven for punishing us for our mistake? Have you thought about the Scrivner's words? What have we done to Heaven and to the innocent souls that dwell here?"
He pauses to unwrap the divine cornbread that Zepha provided. When he continues, he speaks just as softly as before, "Countless souls--souls that lived lawful and pure lives--dwell in Heaven, promised peace and tranquility for eternity as a reward for their devotion. And we apparently just unleashed two demons into their midst. Have you any idea what it is like to be tormented by a demon? I have thousands of years of first hand knowledge. Now imagine that you believed with all your soul that you were safe and secure forevermore when suddenly set upon by a demon and made its plaything.
"If we are done blaming others for our own actions, let us be off to try to correct them," the shabti says and then turns to follow Akarah, eating the cornbread.
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"Thank you, Zithembe," Parison says as the shabti applies his medicinal skills to staunch the loss of blood the cleric lost during the ritual. "And let me help pay it forward," he says as he takes Maria's wand and invokes the healing properties within it to restore the blood she lost, too.
"The ritual," Parison says, his mind troubled. "I felt like I was trying to buy Valais's salvation. That may work for those who worship Abadar, but that isn't who I serve. I can only wonder that had I gave more of myself instead of material wealth if it had made the difference between success and failure."
"And now, the stakes are higher. It's not just Valais's soul that's at risk, but the reputation of the Society in Heaven is on the line. We can't fail! We can't!" Parison exclaimed. "We have to get those souls back!"
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Maria points out something now that the group is actually moving towards a goal, "It seems very easy for you to judge us Zith, but I recall you threw Effie under the bus, blaming her for the failure of the ritual immediately afterwards. Then you threw Akarah under the bus for allowing us to attempt the ritual, even though Akarah had no idea we were doing something dangerous. So please, don't act like you are better than us."
She adds quickly, "But you do make valid points about the demons and the danger, we should make haste and not give them a chance to harm anyone."
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"What is a bus?" he asks. "I do not speak elven."
"I blame Akarah for nothing. I answered the divine herald's question," he replies, not rising to the bait and keeping his tone measured. "That you--" He pauses for several steps as if choosing his words but then never completes his thought.
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Effie scowls at Zithembe behind his back. Then catches herself.
O gods! The circus life rubbed off on me more than I realised! Here I am, chafing at the judgement of others just as they did. I spent years judging the circus folk for rejecting what I thought were moral standards. What right have I to judge anyone? And I left them - my family!
Effie stifles a sob as tears run down her cheeks.
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Akarah listens intently as the conversation progresses, though she flashes her light with some distress when it seems that an argument is imminent.
"Please, it's okay," Akarah insists. "I should have asked more about the ritual you were wanting to perform. That was my responsibility as one of the keepers of the Great Library and I failed. Altha is right to be displeased with me."
There's a bit of a pause, as though the lantern archon wants to say something but is having trouble conjuring the right words. Finally, she sighs.
"Um...I know it isn't easy for a lot of mortals or even beings from the other planes to understand, but your friend Zithembe is right. Actions have consequences and words have consequences, even if there's no malice behind them."
She slowly orbits around each of you as you continue your trek back towards Heaven's Shore. "Hasn't there ever been a time where you did or said something to hurt someone else but didn't mean to? But ultimately you hurt them, whether you meant to or not. Most people can forgive if the intent was good but...sometimes, some don't. The offense was too big, hurt too much. And as the wronged party, they have the right to decide if they're willing to forgive or not."
Another pause.
"The Outer Sphere is vast. There's a place for everyone, somewhere. Heaven may not be the right place for everyone but that doesn't mean their only other options are, um, Hell or Abaddon or the Abyss," Akarah adds, gently. "Kitarlo hails from Elysium, you know. It's a...wild place, full of untouched wilderness that stretches as far as the eye can see. And beautiful, in its own way. Hepsubia, I think you would like it there. Maybe you too, Effie...? Hmm."
"And there's Nirvana, respite for souls seeking enlightenment or redemption. Not quite so orderly as Heaven but not quite so wild as Elysium. A middle ground, you could say. Parison's gentle spirit would fit right in," she chirps, her light now shining warmly. "So...I wouldn't worry too much about your own souls. They'll go where they're meant when the time comes."
"In the meantime, we've got some demon souls to find and I know you can do it!"
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After another lengthy walk of a couple hours you arrive back at the entrance to Heaven’s Shore and to your surprise you find Zepha there and waiting for you.
"Oh my friends, I have already heard tales and rumors of what transpired in the Great Library," he says as he approaches, his tone full of regret. "News travels fast on the slopes of Heaven, as you might imagine. Poor Valais bereft of her soul, demonic influence at large in the realm, and all of you and my friend Kitarlo in hot water with Altha and his patron!"
The bird-headed archon shakes his head. "I confess that I feel somewhat responsible for your current predicament. If you will allow me, I would like to make it up to you by sharing some interesting rumors that have come to my attention over the past few hours."
"First, there are reports from the Unbent Forest, just outside of Heaven’s Shore, indicating that something has infested the woods there," Zepha informs you. "Another rumor speaks of a haunting in a public square in Heaven’s Shore called the Garden of Laughter. As of now, I’ve heard nothing of where Valais’ soul might have drifted but I will keep my ears to the ground for you. There is also this - please, take it, it might prove useful," he continues as he pulls a vial from his robes and offers it to you.
This is an Elixir of Sacred Breath.
Zepha then bows his head.
"I am sorry that I cannot do more, but I fear that Altha would not take kindly to any further interference from me on your behalf. Please, take care on your search and may the gods be with you."
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"Oh! I am sorry, it's an Elixir of Sacred Breath," Zepha replies. "The magical properties are rather strong so please forgive me for not explaining its use right off."
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Akarah's light flashes a warm, sunshiny yellow and she zooms around in great circles.
"The Garden of Laughter! Not only is it closest but it's...well, you'll see! A wonderful choice! Come on, I'll take you there~"
Not only does it make the most logical sense to head to the Garden of Laughter first, it being nearer than the Unbent Forest, more than one of you also secretly and not-so-secretly hope that the Garden will live up to its name.
Akarah leads you along through the streets of Heaven's Shore until you come to a rather large clearing. Inside this trimmed clearing, an assortment of acrobats, mummers, and dancers twirl about to the delight of dozens of spectators. A chorus of laughter erupts from a group of children nearby, gathered around a colorful play wagon decorated with ribbons and filled with marionettes. Perched atop the wagon is an angelic figure, roughly the size of a halfling, with iridescent wings and flowing silver hair.
With a broad smile, the angel hops down from the wagon and approaches, calling out, "Hello, mortals! I am so glad you have arrived. My name is Oneol. I believe I have something you are looking for."
Leading the way through the crowd of children, Oneol opens the back of the wagon to reveal a miniature puppet stage. A hazy bubble covered with splotches of black fills the inside of the wagon. Dimly visible inside the bubble, a fearsome demonic puppet stands in the garden of an opulent manor and silently yells orders.
"I have captured the soul of Laktharis, the kalavakus demon that you set free," Oneol says with a grin. "After his release, Laktharis slithered his way down to Heaven’s Shore, looking for creatures to subjugate. It is the nature of kalavakus demons to control and enslave, you see. Well, naturally, when I sensed the presence of an evil slaver, I pulled the demon’s soul inside my marionette display! Now, the puppet demon has subjects to rule over that befit his status. He is a King of Strings, a ruler of puppets."
Flashing another sly smile, Oneol steps away from the crowd of children and whispers, "I was hoping you could help me put on a show to entertain the children. Enter the bubble of evil, defeat Laktharis, and make him look silly in the process. The soul of this demon craves domination, so any way that you can deny him that satisfaction will make him weaker. Let us teach these children that sometimes even great evil can give rise to laughter!"
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Hepsubia isn't able to recall too much about kalavakus demons - the type of demon that this Laktharis is supposed to be - in particular but she does remember that most demons share some basic traits.
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Effie enters the Garden, and almost faints. "Oh! Oh, it's a circus! But it's beautiful! And full of children! Oh no, are they all...?" Effie chokes, unable to finish speaking such a sad thought aloud. The tears come freely.
"Oh, Oneol, please let me help! I grew up in a place a little like this. But I was never able to appreciate all the goodness around me. I only saw the bad. Oh, I'm so glad I came! To see this place in Heaven fills me with hope. I'm a circus performer, Oneol. I know how to work a puppet show. I can do tumbling too!"
Effie wipes away her tears and smiles as she rearranges her colourful performer's oufit and checks her juggling balls.
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Maria smiles as Effie's sadness comes out, putting her hand on her shoulder to comfort, "See, when we tell people they are going to a better place, we aren't just saying it to make everyone feel better. It's actually true. Just keep that in mind as we battle so that the innocent ones here never know sadness again."
She turns to the angel, "We will put on a wonderful show, thank you for allowing us the opportunity."
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Parison takes a look at the children, then into the black bubble on the puppet stage and then back at the children again. For the first time since leaving the library, a smile begins to creep across his face.
"This could be fun," he says, mulling the possibilities of how to make a dangerous encounter a little less serious. His eyes widen as Sarenrae's dawning inspiration hits him, his smile breaking into a wide grin. He takes a step away from the wagon, but stops, realizing he can't go anywhere without an escort. He looks back at the group of children.
"Are all of you ready to see our show? It will be a good one, but I need your help in order for my friends and I to make it a great show! I need a volunteer to purchase a couple of blueberry pies from the nearest place in Heaven's Shore that makes them," he says, fishing two pieces of silver out of his belt pouch. "Buy them and get back here as fast as you can without dropping them. Do that and you get to keep whatever change is left. I'll also mention your name during our show. Do I have a volunteer?"
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"I am willing to do whatever it takes to make right our mistake," Zithembe tells Oneol, his somberness starkly contrasting the cherub's levity.
He glances at Parison, arches his eyebrow, and a startled beginning of a chuckle escape his lips. "Ah," he begins to say something but then simply shakes his head in bewilderment. Turning back to Oneol he asks, "How do we enter the bubble of evil?"
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Rumble becomes visibly uncomfortable while standing among the circus atmosphere. I hate carnivals. Carnies give me the willies. His mood further sours when Oneol suggests he entertain children instead of smash evil. Even worse, he has to fight a puppet instead of a demon. "Wha'? Wha' abou' hittin' ih with Sledge? Can aye do tha' in tha bubble or is tha' gonna be a problem?"
"You are? That's wonderful," Oneol smiles at Effie as he reaches up towards her face...and pulls a colorful silken handkerchief from behind her ear, handing it to her. "Please don't cry, dear heart. All of the souls you see here have left their troubles far behind and know only happiness now, rather than pain and sorrow."
"I'm sure that the children would love to see your juggling - isn't that right, Lucian?" Oneol adds, glancing down at a young boy that's edged up next to him. The little boy ducks back behind the angel, peeking out at Effie and the rest of you from behind one broad, iridescent wing.
"Uh uh," Lucian nods shyly. For a moment, that seems like it'll be all that you get out of him but then he suddenly sticks out his hand, revealing a couple of (rather sticky-looking) pieces of hard candy. "Um, you can have one if you want," he says, looking at Effie with a concerned frown. "Candy makes me feel better. Maybe you'll feel better too?"
Meanwhile, a clamor of "Me! Me! Pick me! I'll do it!" rings out from the rest of the children as several hands shoot into the air to volunteer for his impromptu errand. With so many eager volunteers, Parison finds himself forced to close his eyes and pick at random in order to be fair. The lucky winner is a young girl with curly red hair, older than Lucian but still plenty young, maybe of about 8 or 9 winters.
"Oh wow, I got picked!? Thank you, mister! My name's Joyce and I'm a real good runner, I promise. Heavenly Hostess Cakes sells the best pies here; they're really tasty," she gushes, clearly quite excited to have been chosen. "I'll be back as fast as I can and I'll be really careful, too!"
Coins in hand, Joyce turns and races out of the Garden, kicking up a little dust as she goes.
"Hah! You've got the children eager to see your show, my friend," Oneol laughs as he gives Parison a good-natured slap on the shoulder. "While we wait for Joyce to get back with your pies - can't wait to see what you've got in mind for those - I'll answer your questions as best as I can."
"Getting inside the bubble is easy as...well, easy as pie," the angel grins. "Just reach out and touch the bubble and you'll be transported inside. As far as playing whack-a-mole goes...sure, you can do that and I have no doubts that it'd work. But between us, I don't think the children would find it as entertaining. Try to spice it up a bit, add some dramatic flair, be silly! Think back to what you found funny as a child and channel it!"
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Rumble gives Oneol an incredulous look. ”Aye think yer chil’hood was jus’ ah little differen’ than tha’ one aye ‘ad,” he explains. ”Effie, ye’re one ah those carnie types, wha’ was fun fer ye? Aye learned smithin’, tha’ hammah fer both tha forge an’ battle, an’ finally tha scripture ah Torag. Tha Teach ‘ad ah paddle fer dissension. Wee holes drilled in fer less wind er sumthin’ like tha’. Aye doubt tha’ tha is wha’ Oneol ‘as in mind.”
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"Oh Lucian! You should always feel better here in Heaven! Thank you for the sweetie, sweetie!" Effie laughs and pops the candy in her mouth. "Auntie Effie knows a magic trick! Want to see? Pass me your candy and I'll magic it for you - you'll get it right back, and then you should definitely eat it!." Effie opens her hand for Lucian's sweetie and uses Prestidigitation to make it taste like chocolate ice cream.
"There was a lot of work, growing up in the circus Rumble. Us kids did everything from mend clothes to sell tickets. But there weren't many rules and we were often left to play on our own. Hide 'n' Seek, Hoop Toss, Knights 'n' Orcs, Catch The Dragon's Tail. I liked Hoop Toss best. I'm sure when we go into the bubble I'll think of something suitable - but we always laughed at puppet shows, "
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Maria nods at everyone's enthusiasm and then looks at Rumble, "Sir Dwarf, please do not try to change yourself. There are purposes for all types in a good narrative. We do not all have to be exuberant entertainers, if we were it would be impossible to enjoy. I will do my best to provide a small narrative introduction when we enter, for the crowd's purposes. After that all we have to do is play our roles as glorious heroes, relying on each of our different strengths."
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Rumble does his best to take on the advice of both Effie and Maria and nods his head in affirmation. Hide and Hoops, Catch the Sneaky Orcs, Knights and Dragon tails, be myself, Maria wants to say something before I smash evil. Roger that.
Sledge and shield at the ready, he eagerly shifts his weight from one foot to the other.
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Lucian's eyes go wide as he pops one of the candies into his mouth and he stares up at Effie with a look of amazement that borders on worship.
"Ith cweam! Tastes wike ith cweam!"
Oneol watches the proceedings - and listens to the discussion between Rumble and Maria - with amusement and chuckles. "I think your friend Parison is right; this will be the best show the children have seen yet!"
After maybe 10-15 minutes Joyce returns, carrying a bag with two square-shaped boxes carefully packed inside.
"Here you are, mister! Two blueberry pies, just like you wanted," she huffs as she passes the bag to Parison. "They're nice and fresh, too!"
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After collecting the pies and making sure that everyone is ready, each of you reach out to touch the hazy bubble inside of Oneol's wagon. As you do, you find yourselves whisked into the courtyard of a fine manor. Intricate carvings depicting Abyssal scenery decorate the manor’s exterior walls. You notice that the manor has no doors and in place of windows is a solid gray mist. Human-sized puppets in simple clothing lurk along the interior edges of the main building’s roof, staring blankly at the courtyard below as if it were a grand stage. While these puppets do not move or attack, their eyes track each of your movements with an eerie silence.
Laktharis roars commands to the unmoving puppets in his audience, appearing as an enormous puppet built to resemble a kalavakus demon, with long claws and razor-sharp horns emerging from its violet colored skin. Hundreds of marionette strings hang from his arms and back. He turns to sneer at you as you enter into his new domain.
"Ahhh, what timing! I was just hoping for a chance to add new slaves to my growing collection," the demon-puppet hisses. "Perhaps you will prove less worthless than these impudent fools," he adds, gesturing to the silent audience in front of him. "They have the nerve to simply sit and stare! But no matter. I will deal with them...after I take care of you!"
Though he still looks largely like a kalavakus demon, you realize that Laktharis has been transformed into a clockwork version of himself.
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Effie
Maria
Rumble
Parison
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Laktharis
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Hepsubia
Zithembe
Active Conditions: None
Environmental Conditions: None
Effie, Maria, Rumble and Parison are UP!
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Maria moves up and does a slow circle as she speaks, addressing the enemy, her allies and the audience.
"And the glorious heroes face their most difficult trial as they are tasked to defeat an evil tyrant. The tyrant who has enslaved the entire village and it us up to us to stop him! For the side of good must eternally fight against those who wish to harm innocents!"
She takes a breath and waves her arm towards her allies, "And for the side of good we have a powerful group of allies, dedicated to stamping out evil wherever we find it. Firstly, we have a Holy Warrior of TOOORRRRAAAAAGGGGG, Rumble the Dwarf. Next is the golden skinned eternal outsider who has seen things us mortals only dream of, Zithembe of the Six Paths. Next is our resident thief, Hepsubia. But do not fear, her heart of gold only allows her to use her deceptive skills for good!"
The elf continues, pointing out Parison in the back next, "And as you all likely recognize, we have a dedicated follower of Sarenrae on our side. Parison of the Dawnflower, empowered by her to strike down evil darkness wherever found. And of course we can't forget about our mysterious stranger, Effie Gee. Vibrant and charismatic she is, but don't let that make you think she can't handle herself. One blast with her BOOMSTICK and the enemy is fleeing!"
She gives a humble bow towards the crowd, "Of course I have forgotten myself, a simple elven archer who has seen many things in her years. But today, all I wish to see is the defeat of the evil tyrant Laktharis!"
She turns toward the demon shouting,
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[color=#334fff] BEFORE ENTERING THE BUBBLE [/color]
"Thank you, my dear!" Parison says as Joyce comes running up with the pies. "And you couldn't have done better. The fresher the pies, the more fun the show will be," he says, as he reaches out and gives the young girl's hair a little tussle.
Holding the boxes, the cleric turns to his friends. "I'm ready to start the show whenever all of you are," he says.
[color=#334fff] ENTERING THE BUBBLE [/color]
"Thank you for that lovely introduction, Maria," the cleric replies in response before turning to address the many-stringed demon. "Looks like you bored your audience into paralysis with one too many long-winded speeches, Laktharis."
"The trouble with Abyssal denizens...they have no imagination when it comes to anything that doesn't involve suffering," the cleric continues as he sets the pie boxes down. He takes them out to where the demon can't see Parison also untying one of his shoes, too. "Your soul will be mine! I will possess your soul! If you want them so badly, I've got a leathery one you can have right now!" he exclaims as he suddenly stands up and throws his shoe at Laktharis.
As the demon watches the sole of Parison's shoe fly by his head, the cleric gives a hoarse whisper. "Rumble...can you trip him up? I think he needs some 'humble' pie."
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Effie strides out onto the stage and faces the audience, her face beaming with joy, her silks, swirling as she twirls towards the demon, gives a mock look of shock, and then turns back to the audience.:
- she cups her hand to her ear to listen for the audience response, then continues -
"In the baddies' corner, we have the nasty, , sweetie-stealing Leatherkiss! Booo!" Effie points to the demon. "And in the goodies' corner, we have the heroes of the Pathfinder Society, you've heard their names already now let's give them a big cheer - Maria!" Effie lifts her arms up and cheers. "Hep!" Another arm lift and cheer. "Zith!" More cheers. "Parison the Cobbler!" Cheers and a wink at Parison.
"And, now, the greatest champ of them all, weighing in at 300 pounds in his underpants: LETS! GET! READY! FOR! "
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Rumble roars at the sky, riding in the front seat of this hype train. Leveling Sledge at the Demon, he shoots it a ferocious glare.
"In tha name o' tha All-Mighty Fathah o' Creation, aye sentence ye tah a wallopin' tha likes ye 'ave ne'er seen!" Stomping heavily forward, doing his best to live up to his name, he smashes his armaments together, rays of holy light flashing as he does, and waits for the demon to close. Let's see if I can get Parison what he wants! Just need to channel my inner Sister Theresa, ain't no Dwarf can swing a paddle like she can.
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As combat is joined the show begins, with Maria giving a rousing introductory speech to start things off. While the rest of you suspect that some of the younger kids in the audience might have trouble understanding some of the bigger words, you can faintly hear what must be some of the slightly older children cheering and whooping.
"Oh wow, it's like one of those stories grandpa used to tell!"
"This is gonna be awesooooome!"
Laktharis seems to hear these cheers as well and he looks skyward, shaking a fist in the air. "No! This is not some heroic fairytale! Cease your cheering, little chatterboxes!"
Though you get the distinct impression that this was supposed to be threatening, the effect is somewhat diminished as the demon-puppet himself diminishes in size just a little bit, his voice growing slightly higher and shriller as he does. The cheering only grows louder when Effie adds to Maria's spiel, though instead of a brave hero's narration hers is more akin to an announcer for a wrestling match as she makes sure to both play up her allies and dunk on Laktharis - inspiring everyone as she does.
"Stinky!?" Laktharis exclaims, the higher pitch to his voice making him sound more indignant rather than ferociously angry. "You will be the *first* to lick my feet when I am through with you!"
Laktharis might've had more to say but whatever it was is immediately forgotten as Parison's shoe goes sailing over his head. He slowly blinks his wooden eyes and looks at the cleric.
"Really? 'Soles'? There's a *special* place in the Abyss for mortals who tell jokes that bad!"
Not to be deterred by his miss, Parison leans in and whispers for Rumble to trip the 'stinky' demon-puppet up...which Rumble readies to do as he calls upon TOOORRRRAAAAGGGG's divine favor. This doesn't seem to deter Laktharis, however, as the demon-puppet rushes towards the dwarf.
"Puny dwarf! Your precious god has no power in my realm," he chortles as he suddenly stops and attempts to throw a net!
But the net misses, comically fluttering to the ground at Laktharis' feet. Somewhere, distantly, you can hear the sounds of children's laughter.
"Curses! I will not be foiled by YOU, puny net! You will get yours, too!"
Deciding to take advantage of Laktharis' poor throwing skills Hepsubia begins to pick away at the demon-puppet's self-esteem, declaring that she's met and heard of far more impressive tyrants...and ones that didn't have ridiculous names, either! More laughter can be heard from far-off and now you think you even hear Oneol's raucous guffaws and Akarah's hysterical giggling.
"N-no...I *am* the strongest tyrant," Laktharis stammers, shrinking again as his voice grows ever more shrill and squeaky. "I am! All the other demons said so! And my name isn't n-nonsense, either!"
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Effie
Maria
Rumble
Parison
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Laktharis (Comedic Flourish 2)
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Hepsubia
Zithembe
Active Conditions: Inspire Courage (+1)
Environmental Conditions: None
Zithembe is UP at the end of Round 1, followed by Effie, Maria, Rumble and Parison in Round 2!
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"BAH! Tha ain't even a real weapon, on yer ass ya welp!" Rumble taunts as he tries to sweep Laktharis' legs out with a mighty hammer swing."Leh's see 'ow tall ye are when yer on tha ground!"
" is 'ow ya say it, do ih wrong again an' aye'll 'ave yer mouth cleaned ou' with soap!" he warns, patting a pocket on his bag. Alright, I mentioned the paddle, the soap, and now I'm running out of inspiration. Sister Theresa didn't need much more than a handful of methods to break us in.
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