The Lopper's eyes fix on the movement of Raj's hand to the hilt of the warden's sword but are instantly drawn to his other hand. His axe-hand. The Lopper's axe.
Heeeeeeyyyyy! You brought it back! he says, delighted. Plus you used it on Dwinhak, does that mean he counts as mine again? He was always bumping into things and making a racket though. Listening to that forever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever...... that would have been a real drag. If I’d known I wouldn’t have killed him in the first place! he laughs.
Don't worry about putting me to rest pale-face, he says to Zed. you guys have already done me a huge favour in getting rid of Ferramin. I got me a score of 44 and only he had more than that in here. Let's see if I can get it to 50!
He snatches up his massive ghostly axe, an oversized version of that which Raj holds, and floats across the surface of the grated pit.
Hit
and
Lop, lop, lop, lop, lop, lop! he sings as he swings his axe. It passes through Raj and where it enters his bloody a huge bloody gash appears.
Kazamir weaves through his friends, never taking his eyes from the Lopper's shade. When he reaches a clear position, he concentrates, firing a pair of barely-visible distortions from his Third Eye at their foe.
Zed grimaces at the ghostly creature. Only one thing to do... He raises his hand and blasts a ray of negative energy, then moves forward towards the creature. "Come on now, too afraid of me?"
I'll get to you in a second, baldy! the Lopper jests, his already impossible grin spreading further. Got to deal with ugly here, first!
The Lopper's own axe swings at it's former owner and, to Rajuna's surprise, buries itself in the spirit's torso. He feels it rip through muscle and flesh and bone as if he were striking at any other man causing the spirit to howl in surprise and pain.
Constantin focuses and launches another forceful wave of mental energy.
(Will save DC 14 for half)
Vala calls for Petros' aid once again, and within the span of a breath Petros' ghostly swordcane appears in the air, bobbing behind the Lopper. After a moment, it swishes twice, feinting, before stabbing into the Lopper's shoulder.
HP: 21/21
Negative Energy Resist 5
AC: 14 (10 T / 14 FF)
CMD: 12
F/R/W: +4/+1/+7 (+2 vs death effects, energy drain, negative energy, & necromancy)
Monstrous Insight used: 0/7
Wand of CLW: 14/50 remaining
Healing Hex targets:
Prepared spells
Orisons (4) | DC 14: dancing lights, disrupt undead, identify, read magic
Level 1 spells (2+1+1*) | DC 15: cure light wounds [ ] [ ], know the enemy* [ ], produce flame (CL3) [ ]
Level 2 spells (1+1+1*) | DC 16: spiritual weapon [X] [ ], tongues [ ],
Ongoing Effects
spiritual weapon (1/3)
Even with her extensive knowledge of undead Vala is unable to identify just what the Lopper is. He clearly shares some characteristic with ghosts such as his incorporeal form but his other features are beyond her.
As Raj's grievous wound continues to pump out blood, it does not drip from between his armor but rather dissipates into wisps of black smoke and floats over to the Lopper, mixing and rejuvenating him.
Hit
and
The axe falls and slices into Hazel's shoulder, passing through her armor and slashing into the soft meat beneath.
Once again, the blood sprays to the Lopper's delight making him seem all the stronger.
The ghost then deftly dashes away from the melee and into one of the adjoining cells, passing directly through the rusted old door.
Constantin says, "We need to stop the bleeding! It's feeding him somehow. If he just hides while absorbing your life-force it's already over."
Constantin fumbles awkwardly to staunch the flow of blood from Hazel's wounds but just winds up somewhat embarrassingly squeezing her injured shoulder.
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Vala calls upon her healing magics to staunch Raj's wounds even as Petros' sword cane zips into the cell after the Lopper to press its attack.
HP: 21/21
Negative Energy Resist 5
AC: 14 (10 T / 14 FF)
CMD: 12
F/R/W: +4/+1/+7 (+2 vs death effects, energy drain, negative energy, & necromancy)
Monstrous Insight used: 0/7
Wand of CLW: 14/50 remaining
Healing Hex targets: Raj
Prepared spells
Orisons (4) | DC 14: dancing lights, disrupt undead, identify, read magic
Level 1 spells (2+1+1*) | DC 15: cure light wounds [ ] [ ], know the enemy* [ ], produce flame (CL3) [ ]
Level 2 spells (1+1+1*) | DC 16: spiritual weapon [X] [ ], tongues [ ],
Ongoing Effects
spiritual weapon (2/3)
"Zed! Be ready to cast again!" Kazamir calls as he crosses the room.
Kaz runs forward and with a groan the door swings on it's hinges. Within, the Lopper looms, his ever-present grin as wide as ever.
Zed is able to target him with his beam of positive light but even that cannot dim that grin.
He steps forward and gleefully swings the axe at Kaz.
and
Zed continues his barrage of positive energy, moving forward to the Lopper.
Kazamir steps back and fires another pair of magic missiles at the Lopper.
As Kaz steps back the Lopper instantly follows him, keeping that maniacal grin in the detective's face.
Constantin steps up behind Raj and tries as best he can to help Raj get a hit in on the Lopper with the cursed axe.
As the ghostly blade of Petros follows after the Lopper and presses its final attack, Pyth flits forward at Vala's gesture and pecks Kaz upon the shoulder before retreating back toward the old woman. Before Pyth can deliver her healing touch though, Vala sends another needle-thin beam of light toward their foe the ceiling. As the sword cane finishes its stroke, it shimmers from view.
HP: 21/21
Negative Energy Resist 5
AC: 14 (10 T / 14 FF)
CMD: 12
F/R/W: +4/+1/+7 (+2 vs death effects, energy drain, negative energy, & necromancy)
Monstrous Insight used: 0/7
Wand of CLW: 14/50 remaining
Healing Hex targets: Raj, Kaz
Prepared spells
Orisons (4) | DC 14: dancing lights, disrupt undead, identify, read magic
Level 1 spells (2+1+1*) | DC 15: cure light wounds [ ] [ ], know the enemy* [ ], produce flame (CL3) [ ]
Level 2 spells (1+1+1*) | DC 16: spiritual weapon [X] [ ], tongues [ ],
Ongoing Effects
spiritual weapon (3/3)
SliceSliceSlice and a DiceDiceDice la-te-da-te-da! the Lopper sings happily even as he is assaulted by spells and blade on nearly all sides. Nothing seems to phase him. As evil as Ferramin was, the Lopper's psychosis seems absolute.
and
He then steps nimbly away, through the wall and beside Raj in the cell.
Zed moves up to Rajuna, seeing he's doing the most damage, and assists his next attack!
Constantin similarly does his best to help Raj!
With a roar of frustration and pain, Raj slashes at the Lopper with his own cursed axe. The enchanted blade shimmers in the darkness and slices down through the Lopper’s ghostly body, opening a horrendous wound that nearly splits him from shoulder to navel. He staggers back with blood pouring from the wound only to dissipate like smoke on the wind and sensing that his end is near Kaz focuses his will into two projectiles of pure force that blast the Lopper from his feet.
He lands in a crumpled heap on the floor of the cell and over the course of a few seconds his form melts like ice on a sunny day, running down through the cracks in the stonework and into nothingness.
Kazamir waits for a few long seconds, then turns his gaze expectantly to Raj's hand...
The flesh of Raj's hand slowly returns to normal and with some relief he can finally release the axe and flex his fingers.
Vala sighs in relief as the wicked axe clatters to the stone floor. "Thank goodness!" Similar to the flute she left behind after the piper had been vanquished the day before, she shows no interest in ax and instead frets as Raj vanishes below the lip of oubliette.