Aemon puts a hand on Brandons shoulder. "Brandon i know you feel it's something bad... but you and Edmond have helped so much youre no more a monster than me. We're friends we accept everything bad and everything good."
"You have a brother? I did not know this, Brandon. You've proven to be a fine and capable friend thus far, how bad could this brother of yours be. Is he older or younger than you?" Killian's questions are asked jovially as he and the others approach and ascend the stairs. "I gather he's not a member of the Shades though?"
Ummm not officially. But we're very close. he replies somewhat cryptically
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Damaia raises an eyebrow at Brandon. Oooo kay.
She looks at the next door. She works on it for a minute and while she does, she says, Kyle...What's your plans when this is over. You know... what's next for you?
Beppo sets a hand on Brandon's shoulder as they scale the steps. We may understand your condition better than you think. Frankly, I think he is starting to become more like you.
...
He stands near to Damaia, watching her work at the door. Let's focus on what's next for us in this building. Focusing on what's ahead could get us caught from behind.
Killian arches an eyebrow curiously toward Brandon but doesn't repeat his unanswered questions. He refocuses his attention on Damaia, the door, and what shadowy troubles might lurk beyond.
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Please. I could pop these locks in my sleep, she replies. A satisfying click comes from the door, and she opens it up.
Map updated
As you step a few feet forward, you see a long hallway ahead, and nearly a dozen doors lining the hallways to the north and south of you. Where do you go next? (see map)
Or I like him Brandon muses. What I did in training back at the base... No wonder Tarvi looked at me like a monster.
Aemon points at Beppo and smiles. "Well said Beppo."
He then moves in through the open door, seeing all the door's to the north and south. "Let's clear these doors first? i'd like us to make sure we have our backs covered before heading down there." He points to the long corridor.
Agreed, the last thing we need is anything creeping up on us from behind.
Brandon moves to the first door in the north and tries the handle.
"Brandon! Watch ou-"
Watch out for whaaaaAAARRRGHH!
"Brandon!"
Beppo screams "Die killer doll! DIEEEE!!" as he runs off down the hallway in hot pursuit.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Taryin curses, stepping next to Brandon to cover him from any other ambushes.
"Kyle quick, check Brandon." Aemon then follows after Beppo to give him support.
Killian calls out after Beppo, hoping his cries might prevent the larger man from blundering into a trap, "Beppo! Don't! BEPPO!"
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As follows the doll back into the larger room, he trips over a very thin, yet strong, silver cord. He falls down the stairs.
As he hands at the bottom, two grinning dolls quickly jump on him.
The each poor a vial of acid, causing the fighter to burn, and his armor to sizzle from the chemical reaction. FORT SAVE.
Beoppo takes 14 damage.
The dolls giggle and all three run away as Beppo squirms on the ground.
Kyle look at Brandon. His eye is badly wounded, with puss and blood mixed together, coming out. Without use of that eye, Brandon suffers a -4 to perception checks and 4 pts of dexterity damage from the loss of vision and balance.
These things are really starting to get on my nerves...Brandon mutters through a red haze
Killian cringes as he sees Beppo suddenly pitch forward and down the stairs. "Alright, Brandon. I hate to rush things along after you got hurt like that, but Beppo might be in even worse trouble. Let's hurry on and hope he didn't break his neck trying to avenge you."
After recovering his faculties, Beppo watches the dolls run away. No more chasing after anything. Can any of you throw fireballs?
"Beppo! Are you alright my friend? These little bastards are really getting to me now." Aemon then turns to where they ran off."Come back and fight us you scum!" He radies and action to fire if they come back within sight.
Thanks Kyle. he says taking the potion. Don't wait for me, get after the little bastards!
Taryin begins looking around, prepared to throw a magic missile at the next doll that jumps out.
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Kyle looks at Beppo, but aside from the clear fact that the gaseous fumes have sickened him, Kyle can't figure much else up.
The party stands tense, waiting for another doll to pop out, but they get no response aside from the now eerie silence.
Damaia
Ok...that was officially sadistic. Those things are creepy. Are you OK, Beppo? Brandon?
"Perhaps we'll all agree that there will be no more chasing after things? I think our best chance at exploring this place in its entirety is to stick together and cooperate." Killian's words are offered as he extends a hand to Beppo, helping the man back to his feet. "Still, that was quite brave of you to chase after Brandon's assailant like that, Beppo. Such behavior speaks highly of you and the other Shades, which I find heartening in this shadowy place."
"I can stand to fight someone that will fight but these... these dolls are just getting on my last nerve." Aemon then starts to pace. "Let's see to Brandon and Beppo and then let's hunt them down!"
Beppo grunts as Killian helps him to his feet. No, No more chasing after things. I thank you for the compliment, but there was more stupidity than bravery in that. Eventually we will see those little s&&&lings again and we will wipe them out.
He looks around. Any more of those rooms to check out? If not, let's see what is at the other end of this corridor.
Taryin grabs the nearest rock (or other worthless throwable item) and puts a light cantrip on it, then tosses it into the darkness.
As Killian regards the distant darkness, he remarks over his shoulder, "I'm curious, Kyle, you recognized these dolls earlier. Are they temporary magical manifestations or will they continue to scurry about and plague us if we don't dispatch them?"
"Good question Killain. Are they a traps? guardians? whatever they are we need to get to the bottom of this their really hurting us right now." Aemon then stares down the now little corridor. "I think i just saw something move."
With your light Taryin, I think I can see something moving down there. A person maybe... It's hard to tell, my eye is still clouded... he blinks hard a few ttimes. Probably the nerve endings repairing themselves. This is probably what a cataract is like. he muses.
Whatever it is, I'm not getting caught out again.
He takes his mutagen from his belt loop.
Ummm... Prepare yourselves, this level of transmutation may shock even you Taryin.
He drinks deeply and wipes his mouth with a trembling hand. Even after all these years the change is agony as bones crack and elongate, muscles stretch and reform, fingers curl into long, razor Sharp claws and mouth fills with pointed teeth.
The man standing where Brandon was just moments ago is anything but similar. He is tall and angular, where the alchemist is only average and slumped in his shy way. This person has jet black hair that seemed to grow in moments and even his eyes are different, one as pale blue as Brandons, the other an almost milky green.
As the transformation completes the man stretches his odd, overly long arms like some great bird and arches his back as discs snap into place along his back.
It is the claws that draw the eye. Long and wicked and sharp enough to eviscerate a mule. This thing looks every inch a gaunt, weird monster of nightmares. Which makes his smooth voice and charm all the more unnerving.
He almost stalks toward Killian and Taryin, wearing a smile of deathly sharp teeth. He only stops when he is close to them. Too close - so that they can smell his hot, sweet breath when he talk.
My friends! How absolutely delightful to meet you!
Killian's eyes widen as Brandon's form snaps and shifts and he looks to the veteran members of the team. Their obvious lack of surprise gives the budding thespian some pause though. "You must be the brother of sorts Brandon referred to? I confess, this is not at all what I had in mind though his riddles make a shade more sense now." He glances down to the new man's claws. Killian bows in greeting, rather than extending a hand, "I am Killian Shard, sir, if you didn't already know. I presume that you are Edmund?"
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Damaia takes a few steps back, and blinks hard. Whoa. Brandon, I.... The look of shock melts away to a smile. I never knew! And here I thought that you were next to Kyle in being a complete saint. But, you must have tainted blood and darkness, like me! I've just never seen it manifest as two different forms!
Taryin raises a glowing hand, but lowers it as the others don't react to the new form. "Well that's...certainly interesting. I've never known much about alchemy."
A shiver runs down Aemon spine. You can never get use to seeing that. "Edmund, i assume you know what's going on and what our plan is?"
Clawed hand on heart he says:
Edmond I am, for all my failings.
He turns his mismatched eyes on the tiefling, smile ever present.
My lady Damaia. Though Brandon and I are forever one, we are still our own men. I can only occasionally see through him and alas, now that I have lain eyes upon you in person, I curse every moment that my gaze has not observed your beautious countenance.
He gives a short nod of his head but as always with Edmond, everything about him is so alien that it is difficult to know if his sentiments are genuine or in mockery.
Taryin narrows his eyes. This is not the same person altered, Edmond is his own man. He says nothing else, but there's a bit of a cold shoulder going on.