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"No, you didn't say it - he did" she gestures to the Shin'Rakorath, "He understood my caution and saw the sense in it too. We aren't wandering the gardens of the Petals District of Absalom down here, we're knee deep in the lair of Demons and their worshipers."
"Are we?"
Scrutiny and prudence are the keys to unlocking the truth, which we have now done, and we know as a result this man is what he appears to be."[/b]
"Do we. Are you so certain? I tend to find the truth, and what truly is comes not at the beginning, but only after all has been seen and examined. Perhaps you are right, sister or cacophony. I do not mean to imply, if I have, that you are incorrect. I just believe we should not be so quick to assume we know. Not yet."
"I'm sorry to interrupt your discussion, but as I hinted before it's not the time nor the place for it. I too think poorly of extracting confession under duress or use unreliable magic to make sure someone's telling the truth. There are ways to counter magic and one may not lie and just being mistaken. But again, this is beyond the point right now. We need to heal and move on. By Caldion's words there are more of these bastards hiding inside this tower and they might have stolen crucial information we need to recover. So let's get ready to move, debates will have to wait until the job's done I'm afraid"
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The Hellknight simply deflect back to the Prophet
"I am pretty certain we do, as I used the toolset I was provided for the purpose of doing so and either he is what he says he is or he is a rare beast that has managed to defy both mundane and magical means of divination across a range of disciplines - highly unlikely".
"On one hand you say we shouldn't be too quick to assume anything, which suggests you concur with taking the time to investigate, and yet no one has questioned the act of freeing him immediately from the manacles that bound him - which for all we know might not have been on him for the purposes we had simply assumed. He could easily have been a rival cultist or servant of some other Demonic agent, he could have been possessed by an entity they were hoping to control, he could be in the process of undergoing some dark transformation into one of them and secured until the change is complete. Who knows indeed? Worth checking perhaps? One more moment of individual discomfort for the sake of the collective security?"
"Freed the man without checking anything or the scantest regard for any danger, yet counselling for caution and delaying of judgment on my behalf"
"I notice there wasn't a lot of suing for peace when the dark elves were simply 'defending themselves' from our invasion and incursion into their lair, not a single 'we come in peace, please put down your arms and parley'. No question then, it was blades and bows without a moments pause. I can see why some people would be quick to want to change the topic now. Best not to dwell too deep on these things lest we lead to introspection and find we aren't quite what we hoped we were".
"The rest of these vile creatures won't be killing themselves, I suppose, so yes let's get to them and offer our assistance"
"Very kind of you to offer to share your healing resources Adowyn. Perhaps the Prophet could be so kind as to trigger my wand for me instead though..."
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Jezabel looks on, alternating between the two as ideologies clash. "Whelp, that was a mighty interestin' talk there, but as my little brother Agamemnon used ta say "Talkin' 'bout rifling while the muties' 'round ta eat ya is kinda like ringin' the bell for 'em." Gods rest his soul. Anyway, Sunshine, Blueberry, now that you both are sure we're all 'n all safe 'round this fellah here, an' he's happy with his condition, if Ah could bother ya to poke me with the wand that says "Healstick" on the tag, Ah'd be mighty appreciative" she pipes up patiently, motioning at her back belt.
"Oh, and Blueberry. They'd turn blacker" she offers mischievously, before wincing as she shifts her weight around, loading her weapon up.
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Out of the ritual room and back through the main chamber, you find one other door. It is safe and easily pushed open to reveal another small chamber beyond.
Wooden bookshelves line nearly every inch of the walls in this circular room, creating an octagonal library stocked with bound volumes of all sizes. Despite the slightly damp conditions elsewhere in the basement, the air in this room is dry, and the shelves and books are all in unbelievably good condition. A small passage in the north end of the room opens into a larger room beyond, and an excavated tunnel descends sharply to the south.
This room once served as the tower's archive, storing the elves' observations of and dealings with the people of Cyrusian. Even casual perusal of the books suggests that every Thassilonian citizen allowed into the rest passed through this checkpoint. The shelves radiate int abjuration magic, which protects any objects placed on them om damage and decay.
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"How interesting. This entire area seems to have some sort of protective magic, warding against age and decline. Im certain the Society would be interested in this secret, and I know we Sages would as well."
Salubri will take out his journal, taking as many notes as he can for later study.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Moving on from the Ancient Archives, you find the Tower makes way to tunnel systems leading deeper undergound. The tunnels open into a small natural cave that hosts a colorful riot of fungi. A narrow path winds from north to south between mushrooms ur feet tall with violet caps as large as shields. A jagged opening in the rocky southern wall reveals a tunnel that leads down into pitch blackness.
Mimicing the room upstairs, the Fungi is quite harmless but again can be used for all manner of poisons. There is little of i terest here apart from the Fungi, unless you look closer...
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"More narrow tracks here. Adowyn, anything else you can gather? I am no expert. I should warn, however, that Ive encountered odd underground fungal growths before, and different denizens that grow them. I can not say if these are the same, but in all three cases, madness was involved. It seems easy to loose one's mind and soul if one is not cautious."
"Yeah... I guess so" Adowyn answers the prophet.
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"Ali why did you not back up The Prophet in his debate with Hellion" Archimedes asks now that he is back in his natural form as a winged helmet
"Well...I suppose it is because I do not fully disagree with her. Sure I know you tell me of Sarenraes infinite forgiveness but we all know there is a line at which you need to be inflexible. Just because hellion is more extreme...I do not judge."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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"Ah actually think we shoulda stayed with the books fer a spell. Maybe get a clue as to why them Drow are 'round here" comments Jezabel idlely as the group enters the latest room. "And, not that Ah'm complainin' but there has been a distinctly fungal touch 'round here and Ah will say it must be an ... acquired taste" she continues, before taking a knee to check out the tracks that the Prophet has spotted.
.
"On the upside, they sure make things easier to navigate" she comments with a trace of humor in her voice. "Upside. 'Cause we're down here. Ah figured someone had ta make the bad jokes 'round here, with y'all discussing morals" she elaborates with a sly chuckle.
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Between Adowyn and Jezbel, you ignore the obvious path and find a better route through the tunnel systems, avoiding getting lost through the dark, twisting paths. After half an hour of searching, you find yourself coming to the end of the tunnels, those of you with enhanced vision able to see it widening out. The air grows subtly cooler and dryer as the tunnel opens into a wide cavern split through the centre by a deep chasm. Air wafts up from the chasm, circulating throughout the chamber and to the chamber roof twenty feet above.
As you step out of the caves and view the chamber, you spy a lone Drow Female stood in your half of the cavern. She seemed to be facing the other way but she spins on your arrival with a start. As she spins, you can see the Symbol of Shax around her neck.
It would seem you have the upperhand of terrain, yet combat is joined!
Dailung
Jezabel
Prophet
Raider
ALi
Hellion
Inexora
Babau
Adowyn
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If other need, I will have activated my Wayfinder's Light to see the path. Seeing the woman, and more precisely the unholy implement around her neck, "Shax. . ."
His first instinct, against the irredeemable, under the circumstances is to strike fast and strike hard, but something seems off here. Instead, Salubri will call upon his god-sight, hoping to pierce the unseen.
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Dailung darts forwards, the Drow priestess gives her a dark look but otherwise makes no action against her yet. However, from out of the darkness on the other side of the large cavern, there is the slight sound of a bolt being released. The bolt clatters uselessly off of a stalactite however and the mysterious duellist is unharmed.
Dailung
Jezabel
Prophet
Raider
ALi
Hellion
Inexora
Babau
Adowyn
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"Indeed, but I half hope she lives - I have a room for her at Citadel Enferac, I am sure she will love the decor" Svetlana then commands something sounding rather sinister and demanding in an Infernal tongue, and in return Hell answers; appearing from a lick of flame, a Bearded Devil arrives and locks in the Elf. Svetlana moves in like a cat bearing down on a mouse. As she finishes moving into position, the Devil lashes out at the demon lover.
Devil, Barbazu
Flank/PA
Attack
Damage
+Infernal Wound
Breakdown
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"BRIGH ON HIGH, COULD WE NOT ARGUE IN FRONT OF THE SHAX-MISTRESS?" chimes in Jezabel.
"I'd wager they all know we are here now, sparky. But,. . ." as he sidesteps a thrown rock from the darkness, "when one is surrounded by darkness and doubt, then we might begin to see that path leading to pertinence."
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Startled by the sudden appearance of a Devil into this place, the Drow Priestess is caught a mighty blow and blood starts to pour freely from the wound upon her midriff.
Dailung
Jezabel
Prophet
Raider
Ali
Hellion
Inexora -21 /Bleed 2
Babau
Adowyn
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There is an acrid smell in the air as you hear two faint Pop noises from further in the cavern. Suddenly, Prophet and Ali and faced by two vicious Demons, who are emaciated figures that look akin to a horned, human skeleton, smothered within a bone-tight hide of slimy leather. They growl at you but are unable to strike for now.
As blood starts to pour from the Wound, the Drow Priestess looks down impassionately and begins to describe the wound in intense medical detail. "Small incision to Torso, right side. Slight bleeding caused by the hellish weapons."
She then raises her symbol and channels forth a wave of red light. It seems to rouse the demons into a frenzy whilst strikes at you.
AND
She then steps backwards and as she does so, begins to hover in the air.
Dailung -9
Jezabel -9
Prophet -9
Raider
Ali -9
Hellion -19 and Sickened for 6 Rounds
Barbazu -19 and Sickened for 6 Rounds
Inexora -41 /Bleed 2
Babau RAGE
Adowyn
Adowyn uses her powers to make her sight acostumed to the darkness and then casts a spell on her bow before moving forward a little.
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Attempting to wiggle free from the summoned creature's assault before it begins, Salubri moves through the battle field towards the lone drow archer, drawing his blade as he does and calling on divine flames in the palm of his other open hand, coming to rest beyond Helion's summoned evil.
With a quick flick of the wrist, he sends the small sphere of flame at the other drow, and anything else that might lay beyond.
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Seeing so many enemys Dailung starts to attack doing her whirlwind dance. Moving past the Babau she attacks him first.
nonlethal damage
As her movement will give the Babau an AOO she will Parry riposte
nonlethal damage
Then she moves toward the drow
If any Attacks hit to the babau hit
(Babau) (Free action Enforcer Feat)
If she hits the babau with her Riposte the babau is also Sickened (Cruel Weapon Enchantment)
If she Hits the drow
(Free action Enforcer Feat)
nonlethal damage
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Jezabel slides on through, passing in front of Hellion. "Sorry 'bout that Blueberry. When he's got a tick, ya think beardo could take care of sticky fingers back there?" she asks, seemingly more concerned with the demons at hand than the devil in the details. "An' pardon this" she adds as she lets loose another shot to the drow priestess.
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Adowyn calls upon her connections to the spirits of animals to enhance her vision and divine powers to enhance her bow. As she does, the Prophet runs forwards, soliciting an attack from one of the Babau.
for
As one Babau delights in causing pain, the other is cut by Dailung, who finds their scimitar covered in an acidic slime. The Creature takes the offered attack and strikes out. Dailung parries the blow and finds their blade once more coated. With quick thinking, the Swashbuckler is able to flick away the slime before cutting deep into the demon, though not as deep as they would think.
The Prophet then tries to incinerate the Drow rogue hiding in the darkness. The Drow fails to avoid any of the blast but their natural Fey protections leave them unscathed.
Then with another powerful roar, Jezabel strikes the Drow Cleric deep, who looks at the wound dispassionately. "Penetration to upper left thigh, possible fracture." she says, as blood pours from her mouth. "Inexora, time of death 22:06"
In retaliation, the Raider launches two rapid bolts at the prophet.
for and
for and
Combat! Bold are up!
Dailung -9
Jezabel -9
Prophet -31
Raider
Ali -9
Hellion -19 and Sickened for 6 Rounds
Barbazu -19 and Sickened for 6 Rounds
Babau RAGE Orange -20 N.L (Sickened)
Adowyn
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Svetlana and her companion simply move into combat again, ignoring the fallen Demonologist.
Devil, Barbazu
Attack
Damage
+Infernal Wound
Attack
Damage
+Infernal Wound
***
Svetlana
Attack
Damage
Crit?
Add Damage
Attack
Damage
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Hellion and the summoned Devil try to get to grips with their foe. The Demon manages to avoid both of the Devil's attacks and one of the Hellknight's. The first blow from Svetlana lands but snags on an hardened scale, dulling the impact . As with Dailung, the Hellknight's blade is turned somewhat, robbing it of much of the force.
Dailung -9
Jezabel -9
Prophet -28
Raider -7
Ali -9
Hellion -19 and Sickened for 5 Rounds
Barbazu -19 and Sickened for 5 Rounds
Babau RAGE Orange -20 N.L/ -12 (Sickened)
Adowyn