Silx swears as his blade gets caught in the clothing, then rolls sideways to avoid the fire, stabbing forth again.
Triela makes a slashing () motion with her shield, attempting to cut into the warrior as she winces from the burns. The warrior dodges the attack.
As the illusory mob vanishes and the mist clears, it is apparent that Silx is engaged with the cultist. Caught by surprise the cultist backs away (5-foot step) and extends his hands toward Silx. A cone of searing flames shoot from the cultist's finger tips. Silx avoids the of fire damage from the flames easily (Reflex for half, DC 14; Reflex for Silx: ; Evasion negates damage on save.).
Meanwhile Aak has dealt the warrior a killing blow. As his morningstar plows into the warrior, blood splatters the mighty half-orc and covers Triela and Caylen's feet. There is nothing but a corpse left to swat to the ground when his shield bash follows through.
At this point the villagers are in full retreat, running from the clearing into brush of the surrounding trees as they try to make their way around Silx and the cultist and form the temple grounds.
In the rear Silx presses the attack, easily hitting the cultist.
Seeing Silx locked in combat with the cultist Rema closes distance and attempts to stun the attacker while flanking him with Silx (), her punch fails to connect.
Round Four: Triela, Aak, Rema, and Silx actions complete. Caylen now acting.
In the sky above you hear a screech as the Harpy desperately tries to disengage from the eagle.
Seeing Rema and Silx engaging the cultist, Caylen motions toward the ground while addressing Aak. "It doesn't look like this one will be answering any questions. Pointing toward the cultist, Maybe he will"
The cultist backs away yet again (5-foot step), pointing angrily at Silx. "You are no match for the flame." (Burning Disarm, Reflex save, DC 14, for Silx to drop his weapon or take ).
Round Five: Triela now acting; Aak, Rema, Caylen, and Silx awaiting NPC action.
Triela steps back then attacks again but with her voice, "Flames are fickle things, and yours will will wither and die as we blow you out!" on the word out the air in front of Triela seems suddenly filled with sharp pieces of solid air racing forward.
The cultist looks dumbfounded as the air around him begins to move toward him with shape and solidity, (. Deftly avoiding the sharpest shapes - the cultist manages to come out of the onslaught unscathed.
Whether surprised at holding on to a dagger that has become hot like a coal or simply choosing not to drop his weapon, the momentary grimace that flashes across the drow's face keeps from betraying the painful blistering that covers his hand (Silx takes 10 damage).
Seeing the drow still holding his weapon the cultist curses to himself before continuing to back away (5-foot step). "See now the punishment that awaits you!" As he gestures in the air flames seem to shoot from the ground and the surrounding trees seem to vanish, giving way to sooty ash and a hellish landscape (Vision of Hell, DC 14 for all).
Round Five: Triela action complete; Aak, Rema, Caylen, and Silx now acting.
(Will save: .) Noticing the blisters covering Silx hand, Rema tries move toward him to ease his pain. The change in her surroundings is to much for her to bear as she stands shaken near Silx.
Though the cultist looks on in satisfaction at the shaken monk, his grin is quickly wiped from his face as Aak charges across the field. As the half-orc rushes into the cultist, the full force of the strike slams into the man - clearly catching him by surprise.
As the flames on her staff die out, Caylen looks around the battlefield that has engulfed the area surrounding the temple, to the scattering villagers and the bodies of those that died in the altercation. Seeing Triela conjuring blades of air and sound, seeing Aak, Silx and Rema fighting for all that they can, Caylen is struck with uncertainty.
But finally, when that illusion is called up from the ground and the world around Caylen twists into a burning wreckage of what once was, when the ground splits open and tongues of damning flame jet forth, when the sky blackens and walls buckle and bend unnaturally she feels a pang of fear in her chest. The staff she carries drops with a clatter to the ground, and Caylen turns her dark eyes toward that cultist first in fear, then slowly something else begins to smolder in those coal-black eyes.
Hands trembling, Caylen begins to crackle and pop as smoke suffuses up from her hands between the blackened portions of skin where more tender flesh is visible. Heat radiates out in waves and she moves forward towards the cultist. "No," she murmurs, her hands trembling, "NO!" Caylen screams as she thrusts her hands forward, heat and light erupting from her palms.
"THIS HELL IS YOURS!" The young woman finally cries as a roaring cone of flame explodes from her outstretched arms, washing over the cultist as though it were a part of the very hellish landscape he created for them all.
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(fail; shaken)
Silx swears at the burn, taking out his bow and deciding to keep combat at a distance. He fires an arrow at the cultist.
The cultist escapes some of the flames, but is clearly still burnt by Caylen's attack. Though he manages to dodge the arrow, he doesn't look like he'll be able to stand much longer.
With a cry, the harpy flies from the grasp of the eagle. The creature begins to sing a hideous song (captivating song, DC 16 for all).
The eagle immediately shakes off the effects of the harpy's song and begins closing distance to the creature.
Round Six: Triela now acting; Aak, Rema, Caylen, and Silx awaiting NPC action.
Triela: Illusion: . Triela is not affected by the illusion.
Caylen: Harpy's song: . Caylen does not follow the Harpy's song.
Silx: Harpy's song: . Silx's is shaken and trying to get closer to the harpy.
Triela: Harpy's song: . Triela does not follow the harpy's song.
Rema: Illusion: , Harpy's song: . Not shaken, but following the harpy's song.
Peter: , , Not shaken nor following the harpy's song.
Durra: , , Not shaken nor following the harpy's song.
Triela raises her voice, attempting to rally her allies (Intimidate check: , for rallying cry). Caylen, inspired by the call to battle - shakes off the shaken feeling. Though Silx is no longer shaken, he and Rema are still enthralled by the harpy's son.
The cultist begins retreating at run (double move).
Round Six: Triela action complete; Aak, Rema (enthralled by song), Caylen, and Silx (enthralled by song) now acting.
Aak charges toward the fleeing cultist, easily knocking the running figure to the ground. The man lies on the ground motionless, a sizable lump forming where Aak hit him.
The harpy swoops down, desperately trying to haul the cultist away. (Attack of opportunity for Aak.)
Aak's well timed strike drives the harpy away from the cultist's unconscious form. As several of the villagers approach the harpy, enthralled by its song, the eagle descends.
A powerful rush of air emanates from the eagle, buffeting the harpy and enthralled villagers. Although the hapless villagers provide cover for he harpy to fly into the mountains, they also keep it from trying to rescue the cultist.
Though the villagers continue to try following the harpy, they do not make it far through the dense underbrush of the forest.
Silx easily makes it through the underbrush and is quickly scaling the rocky mountain side before the harpy finally moves to high for its song to be effective.
Rema isn't as lucky. She can be seen not far up the mountainside, working to mend an injured leg.
Silx shakes his head, then looks around and feels his pulse quicken and his palms get wet. He carefully climbs back down, calms his nerves and makes his way back, looking around. "Wha...what happened?"
Rema slowly makes her way back, slightly favoring her left leg. "I'm not sure what that was, but hope that thing stays far away from here."
Triela notices Rema's limp and heals her. "Well, this was interesting. I'll need to let the countess know about this. We heard a couple of rumors but this definately confirms things."
Triela will help patch up anybody else that needs it and with then will join in prepping the prisoner for interrogation.
Rema gives a slight bow in Triela's direction, "Thank you. Pausing, she finally takes in the bards words now that its clear the danger is gone. Countess? Where have you traveled from?"
Awaiting Triela's answer, Rema looks toward Aak, Caylen, and SIlx. "I will miss Shayne, but I am so glad to still have the three of you with me."
"I'm from Shinmish. My family holds this region and my mother is the current countess. Where are you from?" Triela seems to think it funny that she needs to tell you this but does a fair job of keeping from laughing, though she certainly seems interested in the answer to her question.
Rema gives a curious look. "You mean to say that your a member of one of the twelve royal families? I did not spend much time in Shinmish after I arrived at the port by boat. There is no equivilant name of my home in the language we are speaking. Suffice it to say I have traveled very far. I'm afraid I did not have a chance to meet with all of the royals. Rema makes a deep bow, It is an honor my lady."
Triela returns the bow, "Thank you and well met. And considering how the local social events can get, it isn't much of a surprise to have missed some of us. Did you come over the sea with one of the trade delagates?"
Rema shakes her head. "Although there were a few merchants on board our vessel, it's main purpose was diplomatic matters. I was aboard both for my healing abilities and to travel to these lands on a search of a personal nature. Looking toward Aak, Caylen, and Silx, I was lucky enough to encounter Aak, Caylen, and Silx - along with Shayne who has departed. Turning back toward Triela, What brings you here?"
Silx listens to the conversation, but spends the time checking the pulse on bodies and making sure nobody else is in the vicinity.
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After the battle is over Aak looks down on the body of fallen cultist. I should crush you like a pebble. But then I would be just like you. I would bring shame to what I have become. I should thank you cultist bastards in a way, for making me the strong in faith man I am today he thinks to himself for a moment.
He looks on to his companions in arms, is everyone well, and better yet shall we bind and later question this poor excuse for a human? gesturing towards the cultist.
He looks to the sky, Will this place be safe. The cultist dogs found us in a remote place such as this. How long before more show up?[/b], he looks at the eagle perched on the dome, [i]What will become of this guardian? What will become of us, do we possess the strength to combat this cultist enemy? We must have the strength and resolve, until our lady breath is drawn. The friends I have around me, and the ones I have known, will fuel me until the head of the snake has been chopped off
"Yes Aak, definitely bind him for questioning. Hopefully he can be persuaded to spill some beans." Triela seems mischievous at the thought, though what exactly she intends by that is unknown.
Silx gives a curious glance at the eagle before turning to the others. "I apologize for my performance, he was rather slippery."
Rema nods at Silx, "He sure was. Thankfully he wasn't able to escape. Looking toward the mountain peak Though I find it troubling that that harpy seemed to be helping him. I wonder what that was about? Turning to Aak, Shall we take him back into the temple once he's bound? I'd like to examine the scrolls and volumes we found Turning to Triela, and I'd like to find out more about why you've sought us out?
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What about the Eagle, why is it perched atop the dome? IS it trying to get us to go inside again?
Aak looks at Rema, and looks down at the cultist. He grabs a coil of rope, but he fumbles about when trying to bind him. He then looks around and spots Silx.
[b]Silx, could you help me bind the cultist? I have never been the nimblest with the finer finger work?[b] Aak sens the question Silx's direction then looks back to the top of the dome, silent and wondering.
Triela will assist Silx in binding the prisoner,
"Let us head inside then.
Once the prisoner is bound and we go inside, unless interrupted or something, "I need some skill assistance, preferably from outside the city. I need your help to find out what happened to a particular ship. Stopping some problems that plague the area along the way is always a bonus objective though. The reason for this trip is that my dear friend, Lady Lavinia of Vanderboren, has just lost her parents in a ship lost to fire, along with the greater part of her family's fortune, the remainder of which is mostly on the missing ship. Thus it needs to be recovered to save her holdings. The political alliance from this would certainly help as well given my mother's ill-health, which always seems to bring out the worst of political enemies."
Rema smiles at Triela and begins to respond, "With us being given charge of this temple and the surrounding.. as she is speaking the eagle swoops down from atop the temple.
The creature stands about as tall as Aak, it's wing span larger than any bird any of you have seen so close.
"Such matters can wait. For now, the grounds are clear. It would be best if you not tempt the harpies by remaining out in the open. I will remain on watch during the coming night. I will explain more come sunrise. Though the bird looks ready to fly back to it's perch it pauses - anticipating questions from each of you.
Rema looks on, having completely forgotten what she was in the midst of saying.
Triela is a bit befuddled that Rema has anything to explain, and her sudden switch didnt help. After all the guardian bird arrived, so why do they need to stay? Triela will wait a day, and spend it recording what she can of the temple.
Perception rolls:
- Aak:
- Caylen:
- Rema:
- Silx:
- Triela:
Though Rema still seems mystified by the eagle's presence, it's clear she is noticing something in the distance. She looks toward each of you, as if looking to confirm what she is seeing.
"Do any of you see that?"
Silx narrows his eyes as his nostrils flare. "Smoke over there. We should go, quickly."
Noticing Silx respond to the smoke, the eagle swoops to the ground. "I will take a closer look at the source of the smoke. Head into the temple if you must." Without another word the eagle flies toward the smoke.
The eagle returns quickly with an review of what he has found out.
“A group of cultists have tried to burn a large swath of forest. Locals have easily gained control of the blaze and forced the cultists to retreat.”
The eagle's summary of the events is supported by a clear lessening of smoke in the distance.
"Either the cultists were trying to draw us away, or they want something there. We should investigate, but if we do, the guardian should stay here, ready to signal us if something happens."
Aak carefully considers Triela's assessment and then looks to the injured orcs. "You will guard the temple as you have this morning. We will scout out the fire. We cannot risk open conflict until we've rested. Be prepared in case we are followed back to the temple grounds. Looking toward Silx, we will need your stealth my friend." With a knowing look Aak heads slowly toward the path that leaves the grounds.