Oh that's gross... but... Aster rushes over to tie the rope around the fat undead man's ankle.
Tarnagius stands up, cursing quietly and mostly regretting the necessity of his leaping attack. He lashes out again.
Aster races over to Baccus' body and ties the rope around him. Morgran is completely stunned by what's happening, that he's just standing in the middle of it all. Down below, Tarnagius stands up and the skeletal serpent tries to take advantage of it, but Tarn somersaults out of the way just in time. He uses the lunge to his advantage, striking it in the same crack that Bazzle hit. The crack turns into a full break, and the skull starts to turn very brittle. Whenever the snake moves, pieces of bone flake off.
"Ohh... I hope this works," she frets over Aster's plan to use Baccus' corpse as a counterweight.
The skeletal serpent catches Tarnagius by the arm with another bite. Even without the venom, Tarn's life is in dire straights simply due to blood loss. One more strike and that could be the end.
This is when Ederion goes unconscious. Technically he's still standing up due to the paralysis, but the venom has ravaged his immune system to utter shreds. Now every system in his body is diverting energy to protect the most essential organs. It is their final stand.
Aster panics, these people are dying, and she is doing nothing! All because she is ashamed.
She can't... Sara.. I'm sorry.
With a wrenching sob, Aster's body hunches over, contorts and snaps, gray hair sproting everywhere long with a tooth filled snout and long skiny tail. Black eyes dart over the Rexi, before the rat person that was Aster jumps into the pit.
Hybrid form doesn't get a climb speed. That being said, I'll bet you that your DR would cancel out most if not all the damage from a fall of this height. I'd still want an acrobatics check to reduce the fall, and another acrobatics check to make sure you jump beyond the spikes.
Another option would be to shift to animal form, with the wand in her teeth and tap him with it? Reaching there, I know, just don't want Ed to die. Should have done this last round. She'd be able to either climb or jump, she has a +3 acrobatics in animal form.
Despite the awkward leap, Aster lands on her hybrid paws without issue. She is now standing right behind Ederion, and only a foot or two away from the spikes.
The snake looks Aster in the eyes. It smells its favourite prey. Normally, Aster would subconsciously be utterly terrified of the giant snake, but the desperation of saving her friend completely overrides her fear.
Bazzle lifts the heavy mace again in both hands and tries to slam it into the creature.
Tarnagius is quite adapted to having rats come save his bacon by now, so instead focuses on the snake rather than wondering where the newcomer came from.
However, weapon sizes matter not in this case, for as the serpent dodges Tarnagius' strike, Bazzle takes a short step around the corner into the face of danger. Armed with a mace that was made for someone twice his size, the little gnome uses all his might to bash the skeleton. It hits right in the spot that was cracking, and finally shatters the serpent's skull into Gnome sized pieces. The body loses all its necromantic energy, and collapses to the ground in an unbelievably loud clatter. The beast is truly, finally dead. Behind it, blankets of yellow fungus surround the skeleton of a human.
Ederion's body loses the war to keep his most vital organs functioning. The venom freezes all of his muscles, including his heart.
Bazzle slumps letting the mace head set down on the ground. "Nice mace. Remind me I need more options in a fight." He hands the mace back to Aster.
Now that Aster is off the rope, Rexandi clambers down the line to help.
Aster the half rat woman frets over the dying Ederion. "no no no no" she repeats in mumbled panic, her whiskers twitching as she sniffs him trying to figure out what to do, her large eyes look to Rexi imploringly.
Pressing her light gray paw on his still form she prays healing into him.
Rexandi slides down the rope to join the rest.
- A way to get his heart beating again, such as an electric discharge or a very scientific hit with a bludgeoning object (I'll ask for a caster check [Casting level + relevant modifier], or an attack roll)
- Use a heal check to perform CPR (this can be aided)
- Praying desperately to a God (the God will expect some sort of sacrifice or favour)
If you get Ederion to live for another round, he will do a final saving throw. A heal check as a standard action gives him a +4 to that saving throw. The heal check gets a +2 if the person uses a healer's kit.
Tarnagius slumps against the wall, panting heavily.
"Poisoned. Antivenom? Magic?"
As quickly as she can, Rexandi produces her healer's kit - she literally upends her backpack and grabs it up after dumping out all of her possessions - and starts working to apply some kind of poultice, serum, stimulant, anything to keep Ederion alive.
Her mind dashes back and forth, unsure who is more likely to care, neither really we are just ants in truth, but...
Abadar, please hear my words. I am born of rat and man, two creatures drawn to your cities like no other. I am a merchant, a truer follower to your will no other profession can claim. I ask... please... do not let this man die. He fought the undead filth growing like a cancer under your stones without fear or desire to anything but what is right."
Aster speaks clear and true, resting her hand on his form, willing, begging, hoping, something can be done.
"Alight Milani. We are trying destroy a tyrant and free a city. Don't let one of go because trap spring snake got a lucky bite. Help one of your Ravens, do you make deals, feels like an Asmod . . I mean if you make deals. I am already signed up."
Even cantankerous Tarnagius starts to pray, not knowing anything else he can do.
"Abadar, not sure why you'd listen to me, but there's a person here who needs help. He's a man who seeks justice and who identifies those who cause others harm, aims I think you'd agree with. I've parleyed with your priests to save a companion before, but there doesn't seem time for that now. If you want him to continue to root out corruption and violence here in Kintargo, gods know there's enough of it, he needs you now."
Within the spiked pit of this cold, damp, and fetid underground dungeon, a warm breeze weaves through. Strains of sand shift through the spikes like some spirit, coalescing at the floor to create two golden boots walking slowly and gracefully towards the group. The sand continues to come together, creating a knee-length dress of gold trimmed with silver, then rising higher to create a tanned elven woman with straight blood-orange hair and silver pupil-less eyes. As she strides, her skin and clothing subtly shift into winding artistic coils of symbols and numbers before reforming a moment later. She kneels beside Ederion, now blue with suffocation, and she touches his bite wounds with her golden silk gloves. A few tiny grains of sand enter the wounds, but do not build up. She raises his head onto her lap, and while pressing upon his heart, she kisses him on the lips and breathes life into his lungs. The sound of a simple, melodious harp begins to play, and Ederion's face already begins to show some colour. When he opens his eyes, the woman smiles gently, then lets him lie down completely. She stands up, and looks into each person's eyes.
These words are not heard, but felt and understood. They are instant, known within a second if not less.
You have been chosen, Tarnagius Vashnarstill of Kintargo in the year of 4715AR, to bring the church of the Wealthy Father to its deserved glory. You must seek out priest Mhelrem Gesteliel. Only through the union of Silver Raven and the House of Golden Veils shall either find success in routing out the corruption of Asmodean Law.
These words are not heard, but felt and understood. They are instant, known within a second if not less.
You have been honest in your dealings, and kind to your allies. However we know that your heart and soul is dedicated to another divine, one who encourages secrecy and lofty ideals, and leads civilization to tear itself apart with civil war. We encourage you to seek more than wealth and justice, but also honour, duty, efficiency, and honesty.
These words are not heard, but felt and understood. They are instant, known within a second if not less.
The Wealthy Father acknowledges your contributions to society by rooting out the vile underbelly that poisons progress and community. We ask of you to tread carefully as you lead the Silver Ravens, for civil war is the most horrible of plagues. Your actions shall be the catalyst for a future affecting millions of lives. For your revival, please support the House of Golden Veils, either through favours or monetary aid.
These words are not heard, but felt and understood. They are instant, known within a second if not less.
Milani will have the streets of Kintargo run red with the blood of all walks of life before she is satisfied with her vengeance. She does not care if one falls in the line of duty, so long as the rebellion survives. You are no thug, Bazzle Gnackle, nor thief or assassin. You have the skills necessary for greatness, for wealth, and for the betterment of the community. All you need is purpose and discipline. Rather than tearing it all apart and leaving the survivors to fight for control, you are the one capable of building this city anew.
These words are not heard, but felt and understood. They are instant, known within a second if not less.
You have already done great things, Rexandi Vatia. You have come from the most unfair poverty and discrimination. Yet you have risen, made a name for yourself, and have begun to serve in an organization bigger than the sum of its parts. Do not forget your origins. There are many who suffer, have suffered, and will suffer before this is all over. The Wealthy Father asks of you to stand for the poor, the discriminated, the destitute, and to use your position in the Silver Ravens for their betterment. In the glowing streets of Axis we are all equal.
Then her body and clothing slowly sift away into sand, symbols, and numbers. The warm breeze drifts away, and a calm silence lingers upon the blood-soaked stone.
Bazzle's eyes glass over. A rush of several emotions mix on his face and in his eyes. He looks down and addresses the majestic woman "Thank you for saving my comrade. Your belief in me and our cause is an honor I hope to live up to." He swallows hard, "But you are wrong. Milani is one who loves freedom and her fight is against injustice and tyranny. In the east and north her followers have rejected the blood thirsty revolution of Galt and will not mark their celebrations. The wanton vengeance you speak of is not her way. The prosperity you speak of cannot thrive without the blessing of freedom." He looks sheepish, "Did I mention thank you?"
An immortal soul known as an Axiomite briefly stepped into the material plane to answer the prayer to save Ederion. Axiomites are beings of pure mathematical equation and information, who come from the perfect city of Axis. They are the representation of order without bias for good or evil. The God who reigns over the city is Abadar, but interestingly enough Milani does have a presence in Axis. Axiomites, as most beings in Axis, do not have free will for their own safety.
Tarnagius blinks a few times, nods, and doesn't say anything. Oftentimes, outsiders just mean trouble.
"Never really did like snakes much" - Ederion remains lying down and chuckles - "Guess this means it is gone?"
"Is everyone ok? And... Was that an Axiomite?" - the elf questions, still not getting up.
Bazzle shrugs, "That makes sense. I just figured she was an uptight celestial."
Yes, I believe so. Aster whispers in awe. She doesn't know how to take an immortal beings advise, but she finds her eyes to be wet to tears for some reason.
Aster gives herself a shakes, her soft gray and black fur falling off into nothing like beads of water after a rain. In a lot less painful looking process she stands up straight, a midaged human woman again.
"Now are you okay?"She looks from Ed to Rexi "Can we move him?"
"Bazzle, could you look to see what the snake was guarding?" she asks, coming over to Tarn to touch him with the wand, to stop the worst of his bleeding for now.
"On it. If anyone sees a gnome sized club or mace around let me know. I need to get me something like that." Bazzle looks into the hall where the snake came from. He moves carefully checking for traps and looking out for anything.
"Now are you okay?"She looks from Ed to Rexi "Can we move him?"
"Apart from every muscle and bone in my body hurting, I guess I'm okay" - Ederion painfully tries to stand up - "Thanks guys"
Rexandi stands very still for several seconds, saying nothing, wide-eyed with shock.
Finally she stutters, "Uh, yes, let's help him to his feet. Ederion, you let me know the moment you feel any pain or stiffness, all right?" She reaches down to offer him an arm.
Aster turns back into her regular form and taps Tarn with her wand of healing. Bazzle takes a look past the door. The plain dirt floor is filled with a sickly yellow fungus. In this fungus is a human skeleton, who's bones are fused together to make some sort of solid glob of calcium. Bazzle can make out some items on and near its person. However, in order to get over there, he will need to work his way around the fungus.
This yellow fungus is very simply called yellow mold. It is a dangerous hazard when a person brushes it, for it explodes into poisonous spores. These spores can land on or inside the body, which destroys the immune system and can grow into more mold like a parasite. In order to move past yellow mold, one could disturb it at least 15 feet away, burn it at a distance, or expose it to sunlight which renders the mold dormant. Most experts suggest simply leaving it alone.
"There is some wierd yellow junk in here. I think I can avoid the yellow stuff. But there is a skelly as well. Looks like he has some gear. We might be able to learn something." Bazzle moves into the room slowly bending and stretching at odd angles to avoid getting near the Yellow stuff.
Bazzle easily weaves through the mold until he gets to the skeleton. The room he's in is just a little bigger than the pit, and rises up 20 feet just like it. Above, he sees what looks to be a rope, hung from the top of one end of the pit to the other. The skeleton is incredibly brittle, so it takes very little work to break it apart and get at the items.
- A shirt that shows no sign of decay or damage
- A dark iron symbol of a face mask
- An elegant short sword (medium)
Scattered around the floor are:
- Two potion bottles
- A set of metal dice
- A collection of coins and gems
- A set of damaged masterwork thieves' tools
"Hey guys I found some things." He gathers the items up. "I still don't trust the yellow stuff. Call me crazy I mean after devil skank and the big mouth."
Aster does not have knowledge nature.
Aster really does not know what Bazzle is talking about, but looks into the room in curiosity. She does not try to enter it, her luck would mean she'd trip and roll in it repeatedly.
"Everyone else hanging in there? I can maybe eke out a little more healing," says Rexandi after she helps Ederion to his feet.
"Uh, Aster, can you still talk like that?"
The tiefling seems completely unfazed by someone having oh no, some part of their heritage is considered unsavory.
Aster looks in surprise at Rexi's honest question. "Um... yes. Not when I shift... all the way though." something feels really wrong about talking about this. Sharing secrets was not the rat way.
"I..." she hesitates, strangely moved by their utter lack of caring. She turns to her companions and bends into a deep formal bow.
"Thank you"
"This room is the bottom of another pit I guess."
Standing up, the elf looks from Rexandi to Aster and back again, puzzled with all the questions and pleasantries - "What did I miss?" - he smiles.
Then he peeks at Bazzle and the fungus - "Can't say I ever seen anything like it before" - he nods.
Tarnagius lays against the wall of the pit, muttering to himself about having to be saved by walking rat-creatures way too many times lately.
"Oh ok then. Guess you'll fit right in. Are Rexus and I the only actual humans in this revolution any more? Because it's starting to look like a circus."
"Oh, f#!$ you, Tarn," says Rexandi, obviously very cross. She starts clambering back up the rope...
... and if nobody stops her, she leaves.