The young man turns to the others who are discussing matters of questions "Never take anything at face value. If I did that, things would never have turned out as they did for Dhaunae and I." He says, indicating his companion, who blushes slightly. He extends a gauntleted hand "Shinari Dawnbringer, warrior of Iomedae."
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At Arae's statement, Tryggve visibly stiffened, though quickly recovered and acted normally. Again, he was reminded how similar Korina was to his sister; he could easily shake it off and forget it, but he hated someone bringing up the idea. Looking away with a small frown, Tryggve scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.
"We aren't siblings, just so you know." Looking back at Area, the near-albino nodded in recognition, his expression stoic again. "And I'm Tryggve. A pleasure."
Then his attention turned to Shinari, who greeted them politely. Stoically, Tryggve took and shook the holy-man's hand, gripping firmly. Though Tryggve may have garnered a title as the "Soul Sever", he wasn't too keen on letting that slip unless these people already knew, or if they turned hostile.
"Tryggve. Just Tryggve. Nice to meet you both." He nodded to Dhaunae as well.
Korina reached into her bag, fighting with it for a few moments - then pulled out an apple that she tossed into the air, caught, and held out towards Shinari. "What is this?" she asked, a small smile on her lips.
He smiles at the offered piece of fruit "Something delicious, if I'm not mistaken"
Korina spun the apple in her hand and held it up. "But perhaps it is a foul creation from deep within the Worldwound, designed to poison the one who takes a bite of it. If it were made sufficiently mundane, the only way to tell would be to eat it." she explained, completely serious. A moment later, however, she took a bite and swallowed. "It could be very dangerous to take one's food at face value, especially around here, but that does not stop most people from doing so." She didn't really have a point - she was poking a hole in his argument for no reason other than the fact that she could. It was one of the ways she entertained herself.
"Which is why I said, 'unless I'm mistaken'. What exactly is your point? You appear to be in agreement with me to not take things at face value"
"Nice to meet you both I am Chi, Alchemist of Kenebras~" She kept her cloak tight lest her burns disgust the newcomers. Her elvish skin shined in the surrounding light, giving her an almost imperceptible hue.
"And this is Lune~" she indicates her companion who had sudden hushed no one in particular.
"Lune is blunt like a hammer but nice, I promise." She regards the couple. "Curious, is this what the humans call marriage or do you have other mates?" She tilts her head curiously for a moment, keeping her burned side away from them.
Korina simply looked amused. "Not everything has a purpose or reason." she explained. "Sometimes, they simply are. Unless, of course, their actual purpose is part of a long-running, obtuse plot by one or more deities intended to be used as an object lesson about the nature of thought..." she trailed off - but she was definitely an odd one, no matter how you tried approaching it.
Adea threw Korina a startled glance. Sardonic, yes, used to being smarter than those she spoke to - but might she believe there wasn't purpose to the world, that they couldn't make their own purpose? Arae resolved to keep an eye on that one, if possible.
And then there was the Shelynite, Lune. She seemed a bit off. Perhaps even... Looney. Stop that! She berated herself for her unkind thoughts. "It is good to meet you all. What brings you to Kenabres? Do you live here? I just arrived this morningm, myself."
It is Dhaunae's turn to respond, in a melodious, pleasant voice, tinged with an exotic accent. "Could not something's entire purpose or reason to exist be just that? To simply be?"
"But if they were, all the philosophers would need to give up their jobs, and we can't have that." Korina said gravely. She... she was joking, right? Her calm, steady delivery of speech tended to make it much harder to figure out whether she was being serious or entertaining - knowing her, it might even have been both. "Of course, I'm sure they could turn to other questions. I've been lead to understand that they have yet to determine the nature of beauty, and could probably manage at least another few centuries of little-known books of poetry on the subject."
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"Same here; I just arrived several hours ago, so I'm still getting used to the city's layout," Tryggve casually replied to Adea, shrugging his shoulders as he spoke.
As for Korina, Shinari, and Dhaunae's conversation, the towering barbarian could only tilt his head in slight confusion. He wasn't sure where the conversation came from, nor where it was going, but the Red-eyed warrior couldn't help but think of his own self at the mention of one's purpose. He thought about adding his own opinion, but it seemed unnecessary, so he opted for a neutral shrug instead.
"Seems everyone's a philosopher today..."
"It's quite refreshing. I've heard debates among the 'educated' of Absalom that were far less interesting than this."
She could hardly contain herself. They'd hit upon one of her favorite topics.
"If we were to assume the lack of purpose of existence beyond existence - though it seems to me that the existence of the gods and the universal causes speak against the theory - I'd still say that we owe it to ourselves, if nothing else, to create purpose in our life, and cherish it."
Korina's blood-hued eyes were definitely twinkling with amusement now. "There are indeed many who wish to create their own purpose - but many others have a purpose decided for them by the whims of the gods." the oracle observed, discreetly keeping her holy symbol hidden from view. "Is any purpose greater than another merely because of how a person was able to acquire it?"
There was a second point to all of her questions, one that most people would miss - they helped her learn about the people she was talking to and determine how much she could safely reveal. She'd rather not have another few months of "questioning", thank you very much.
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With crossed arms, Tryggve continued to stand silently and listen to the conversation. All this talk of purpose seemed a little trivial at the moment. That wasn't to say it wasn't interesting, it's just that it came on so suddenly and began pulling everyone into the debate, even though none of these people even truly knew the other. For people to have such comfort in the presence of strangers; it always impressed the warrior just how easily people could come together.
And at the same time, the conversation made him uncomfortable. When it came to his own purpose, he couldn't say for sure what it truly was or why it existed. Sure, he knew what he WANTED his purpose to be, but with everything he's experienced, it was hard to say for sure whether or not that was the truth. That's not to say he didn't have his opinions, but compared to those who seemed so sure of themselves, his thoughts felt trivial.
Instead he drew his attention to Chi, since she hadn't given her own opinion yet. He still felt some guilt at scaring her off before, so he wanted to act just a little nicer than usual toward her to make up for it. Besides, he was interested; she probably had a better opinion than he did, after all.
"Chi, was it?" Tryggve asked with a nod, his tone curious. "What do you think?"
Chi turns to look at Tryggve and starts to fidget, such questions were had for her to answer easily. She fidgets more and more as she speaks, more or less because she was unsure if they would understand her view point. "We are born without purpose until we experience that which forge's us into what we are and wish to become. No one's purpose is any greater or lesser than another as what we hold dear is unique compared to another individual no matter how similar. Desna teaches that You ultimately control the route you take on your lifes journey, maybe not the events and that to be without purpose is to not exist at all. However I am not one to predict where it takes you, what hardships you experienced that made you who you are or the state of your soul. These are above my ability to comprehend or predict because that is the beauty of life..."
Her fidgeting ends as she recalls the fall of her clan. "Ultimately... Everything has purpose, every creature is unique, there is and will only ever be one instance of that creature upon this world until their journey's completion."
Chi nods at Lune. "She is right, demons are the cause for these never burns that never heal. Natural, alchemical or divine healing failed to remove this demon mark from me. They also took my clan from me and, Desna willing, I will find those that still live and bring them home." She runs a hand through her burns as she finishes speaking. "Even if it means I am burned head to toe for my endeavors, I will not abandon them this time."
It seeems I'm quite alone in that my end goal is not "kill demons"...
Perhaps I might have seen that one coming, given my current location.
Out loud, she said "I'm sorry to hear about your clan, Chi." Wait. She had a clan? Strange...
"Interesting." Korina mused as she carefully considered Chi's form. A part of her wondered if her own healing method would be more effective - but that wasn't exactly something she could share with others, and there was no point in worrying about the impossible. She had enough issues with that already. "...Does that mean wealthy, layabout noble boys have no value?" she inquired a moment later. "There are a few nations that would like the sound of that..."
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At Chi's statement, Tryggve smiled gently, his expression filled with melancholy. He didn't care so much for her statement of a 'clan'. After all, she was probably from some elven tribe.
"Those who abandon family deserve every ounce of suffering they receive; you're a good woman Chi."
And at Lune's statement, Tryggve's stoic demeanor broke down into heavy chuckles.
"Kehehehehe! Agreed; they also give bodyguards a decent challenge by being such easy targets."
The sound of church bells ring through the air loud and clear, bringing the exuberant crowd to a moment of respectful silence. The doors to the cathedral open and Lord Hulrun, High Inquisitor of Iomedae, steps out with his honor guard. His aged face, though kindly, bears the scars of his many years of service. He is dressed in a white, blue, and gold clerical garb bearing the Sword Cross of Iomedae, his mantle flowing over gleaming plate armor of finest steel as he moves. He steps forward, arms outstretched, "People of Kenabres! Lords and ladies from all the realm! Crusaders and Templars! This is truly a blessed day, for...". Before Lord Harun can say more, a bright light shines from the west, as if the sun were rising from the wrong direction. Hulrun’s shadow falls huge and distorted across the cathedral’s facade, as he stares in disbelief towards the west. A moment later, the sound of a thunderous explosion rips through the air and earth, along with a violent tremor that sends many to the ground.
You look to the west, the fortress known as the Kite—the location of Kenabres’s wardstone—had vanished. In its place, a brilliant plume of fire, red lightning, and smoke erupts into the heavens. The sound of screams begins in the crowd.
She almost wilts as she had to abandon her clansmen to survive but she understood Tryggve's words and smiles slightly. She chuckles at Lunes words before feeling a pulse through her being. Oh no... Not now! She pulled her cloak tight, burying her head in it before opening it at the sound of everyone screaming...
Seeing the lightning and smoke she stuttered. "Desna pro-protect us!" Seeing the fortress engulfed in flames she reaches for her side arm...
An attack!? Now!?!
That was... something that 'not good' felt woefully inadequate to describe. She whirled to the crowd, raising her voice as she did so. "Evacuate, now!" she bellowed, addressing the crowd. "Remain calm and remember your training! Soldiers, provide escorts for civilians, then find the closest commander and follow their instructions!"
What most people needed at times like this was someone to tell them what to do. That said awkward things about the nature of mortals and what effect law had on their lives - and she wasn't a big fan of the law - but saving lives was more important. Still, that ought to be enough to start galvanizing them into action. Kenabres was fortified as heck - if the people could just get themselves organized (and there were reasons so many walked around with full weapons and gear!), then they should be able to repel what was undoubtedly coming next.
Korina's words reaches a few soldiers, which help evacuate the civilians. A grizzled and scarred Crusader missing his left eye yells to the crowd, "Well, you heard the lass, follow me to the stronghold! Stay close and don't dally now!" He pushes towards the stronghold, with a sizable chunk of the crowd following him.
Seeing Lunes resolute look brings Chi out of her fire induced fear and as her cloak opens she has a pistol in one hand and a strange beaker in the other as she spoke. "... Oh Forget it! Chi Mechanistorm of Clan Skyre will fight! Demons be damned!" Her cloak being full open revealed the full extent of her burns as one burned hand gripped the pistol grip. An entire side of her body was burned and etched into the flesh below her collarbone was some sort of marking, a large tattoo hidden by her clothing.
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The minute the explosion hit, Tryggve was already assessing anything he could classify as a threat or acting with suspicion; though he was surprised by the sudden destruction of a distant ward tower, he didn't let it show, his expression becoming cold and focused. This wasn't the first time he had been surprised attacked, and it wouldn't be the last.
People began screaming and running in panic, and he clicked his tongue; the panic always made a situation more annoying to deal with. Thankfully, Korina surprisingly cried out to the crowd and the soldiers, getting their wits together at her insistence. Even if it was unexpected, Korina had been showing herself to be an unpredictable woman. With a nod to the white haired woman, Tryggve kept his back to his new acquaintances and continued to survey the scene with spring-loaded tension.
"Everyone, stay close and yell if you see a threat!"
As the tower exploded, Dhaunae did what came naturally to her, and began to look for any unable to care for themselves. Children, the elderly or sick, she tries to gather any of them up, and leads them to the stronghold.
Meanwhile, Shinari draws his finely crafted longsword, and strides towards whichever gate or entrance is closest to the exploding tower. If the enemy was coming this way, he was going to meet it head on.
Arae stood frozen for a moment, mouth and eyes wide open, awed by the horror implied of the column of flame in the distance.
Oh, gods above. The wardstone. What happens if one of them has collapsed? Can't be good.
She came out of her stupor. Gaping in horror over some unchangeable event was remarkably useless. And indeed, someone had already done something usefull; she had to commend the white-haired girl's prescence of mind.
She drew her rapier. Better to be armed in the event of a surprise attack. How could she leverage her resources into something that might be usefull right now? She might help her new acquiantances defend the retreat of the civillians.
"I'm new here, but can fight. Is there something we should be doing when under attack?"
She barked her question as quickly as she could. Time was of essence, and the others might well know of the defense routines better than she.
Dhaunae gathers the children and the elderly, leading them to the stronghold, trailing behind the scarred Crusader who led a sizable chunk of the crowd.
Before anyone else can respond, a massive cataract of flame appears before the cathedral and a terrible figure strides forth from it, a demonic figure some three times the height of any man, it's deep black-red skin covered in flames and brilliant lightning the color of blood. Massive bat-like wings unfurl from the figure's back and it steps forward, carrying a sword and a whip covered in the same energies that wreathe it's body. It looks down at the crowd with a terrible, horned visage devoid of any goodness whatsoever, speaking in a resonant voice that shakes the air as it speaks,
The demon swings it's mighty blade in the air and appears to 'cut' distortions in reality throughout the city in all directions, massive rifts of fire and lightning from which disgorge hordes of nightmarish demons, the likes of which you have never seen.
The beast chuckles, a terrible sound to hear,
With that, the Storm King swings his fiery blade, which comes straight for you . Before the fatal blow can be struck, one of the guards around the platform leaps and turns into a massive silver dragon mid-jump, grabbing the Storm King and crashing through the cathedral, shattering the massive stone building like a child's toy. There is no doubt about it, that dragon must be Terendelev, the draconic protector of Kenabres and one of the staunchest allies of the forces of good this world has seen!
A horde of fat and squat demons with oversized ears, looking like pudgy, demonic Goblins with spindly, clawed limbs, has a few of its members break off and head your direction!
"Beyond the obvious!"
With that, Arae lept into combat, her other hand drawing a dagger to join her sword.
As she ran, she tried to keep an eye out for demons converging on the children and elderly that Dhaunae was guiding to safety.
"Watch out! don't let them get to Dhaunae!"
She closed the distance in a series of long jumps, the last one gaing quite a bit of height before she came down on the dretch, rapier first, with all her momentum behind it.
It was a bit of a risky move, but if it went right it could end a fight in a hurry. They seemed to be needing that, so the benefits outweighed the rewards.
AC is now 18.
Critical confirmation roll is in the discussion thread.
In short, To hit: Nat 20, Confirm: 17.
If a crit, 24piercing damage, no special material, if not a crit, 13 damage.
I can't remember if dretches have DR or not. They're demons, but they're really low level, so I don't rightly know.
Her cloak wavers behind her as her legs carried her further than most, in a few strides she was within her pistols range from the enemy. She leveled it at one of the creatures that wasn't engaged and hammered it in the shoulder with a bullet. The round wouldn't pierce deeply but it would at least do some damage. "Come creature! I will be your foe!"
"Those creatures are Dretches." Korina called out, easily identifying them. Knowledge of creates from beyond the mortal world was something of a specialty of hers. "Beware - like most demons, they are surprisingly resistant to both physical and magical damage, but they are fundamentally cowards when faced with superior power. Like so."
With that, she sent a message across the void. She was rather hesitant to reveal all of her capabilities, so perhaps a little twist would be most appropriate here. After all, people saw what they wanted to see... and it ought to be nicely effective against demons, too. She hated the beasts.
What rose from the ground was a stony beast, pulsing with sacred light. Before anyone had more than a moment to wonder about that, though, the rocky beast had charged towards the closest Dretch - moving faster than had probably been expected - and swung its mighty stone fist.
Of course, just being holy didn't necessarily mean one was actually good in combat. That was the downside. On the upside, its mere presence would help to demoralize the foe, so at least there was that. It was actually somewhat weaker than it looked - its protection from damage didn't do much against outright evil creatures - but it ought to be able to cause some real pain if it could actually smack one of the foes.
Vilstrak CR 1
Holy entropic vilstrak (Pathfinder RPG Bestiary 2)
CN Medium aberration (good)
Init +1; Senses darkvision 120 ft.; Perception +13
Aura grace (30 ft.)
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Defense
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AC 19, touch 11, flat-footed 18 (+1 Dex, +8 natural)
hp 7 (1d8+3)
Fort +3, Ref +1, Will +4; +2 resistance vs. evil creatures
Defensive Abilities negative energy resistance, protection from evil; DR 5/evil; Resist acid 5, fire 5; SR 6
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Offense
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Speed 40 ft.
Melee 2 slams +3 (1d4+3 plus 1d6 holy vs. evil)
Special Attacks holy spellcasting, sacredness, smite law
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Statistics
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Str 17, Dex 13, Con 17, Int 6, Wis 14, Cha 12
Base Atk +0; CMB +3; CMD 14
Feats Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Acrobatics +1 (+5 to jump), Perception +13, Sense Motive +6, Stealth +5 (+13 in rocky surroundings); Racial Modifiers +8 Stealth in rocky surroundings
Languages Aklo, Terran
SQ holy body, merge with earth
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Ecology
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Environment any underground
Organization gang (2-5) or band (6-20)
Treasure standard
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Special Abilities
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Damage Reduction (5/evil) You have Damage Reduction against all except Evil attacks.
Darkvision (120 feet) You can see in the dark (black and white vision only).
Energy Resistance, Acid (5) You have the specified Energy Resistance against Acid attacks.
Energy Resistance, Fire (5) You have the specified Energy Resistance against Fire attacks.
Grace (Su) Non-good creatures take -1 penalty on attack rolls, checks, and saves.
Holy Body (Su) Healed double the normal amount from positive energy effects.
Holy Spellcasting (Su) Healing, good, and light spells cast at +1 CL.
Merge with Earth (Su) A vilstrak can merge with earth or stone at will as a standard action. This ability is similar to a meld with stone spell (CL 12th), except that a vilstrak can see what goes on outside and it can remain merged as long as it desires.
Negative Energy Resistance (Su) Cancel out negative energy effect with a level check.
Protection from Evil (Su) +2 deflection bonus to AC and resistance bonus on saves vs. evil
Sacredness (Su) +1d6 holy damage on all attacks vs. evil
Smite Law (1/day) (Su) +1 to hit, +1 to damage when used.
Spell Resistance (6) You have Spell Resistance.
The aasimar does not bother with anything fancy, as these are the dregs of demonic society. He charges in, longsword flashing as his slices into the nearest dretch. "By the light of Iomedae, I smite thee!"
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Though confused at the sudden appearance of the dragon and the panic that surrounded them, Tryggve experience and focused mind allowed him to sort out what needed to be done. As the pudgy, goblin like demons approached, Tryggve did not hesitate to sprint forward alongside Lune, who's strange form did little to blind him from her assault on the enemies, and Shinari.
The problem was that there were other civilians around that couldn't even protect themselves against normal men, instead of other warriors who volunteered to fight these beasts; his job had just become that much more difficult. He may not know or worry for the people of the city that much, but he cared; it was his duty to defend these people now, and enough times he'd seen someone slain when they couldn't protect themselves or their family.
His glare was burning cold as he charged forward, ethereal green energy forming in his hands and blazing to life in the form of a greatsword; his will made manifest with the intent to kill.
"Torag," he prayed silently, "Let them come to me, and make them..."
Tryggve descended upon one of the demons, his blade flashing with a single, powerful stroke.
"Break."
Korina summons a strange stony beast that pulses with light. The clumsy being manages to miss one of the squat demons.
Chi's bullet whizzes through the air and hits one of the Dretches in the arm, though the bullet doesn't go through thanks to the demon's resilient flesh.
Arae, upon seeing no demons chasing after Dhaunae, sprints across the battlefield and lunges at a Dretch
Tryggve charges at a demon, raises his blade overhead, and swings in a downward arc, cleaving the Dretch's skull in twain.
Shinari and Lune both charge at the sole standing Dretch that Chi wounded. Shinari's sword rings as it slices through the air, disemboweling the disgusting demon, sending black, red, and a sickening orange-yellow gore to the ground. The Dretch wheels from the blow, about to fall over dead when Lune's claw slashes the beast across the face, gouging out one of the now-dead demons eyeballs, which is mounted on one of her claws.
Leaving no time to celebrate your victory, the ground begins to shake and disgorge demons into the streets from yet more rifts that tear open in the earth and the sky. The dragon and the balor lord clash above in the sky, scoring devastating blows against one another that would easily kill a lesser being.
Terendelev swoops at the Storm King, but her charge is cut short as the demon slices one of her wings with his massive sword, sending her crashing into the crowd, but not before she grabs him and takes him down with her.
As if the unfolding scene were not horrific enough, a rift begins to widen with a sickening tearing sound and a titanic demon seemingly made of molten lava, easily larger than the now-ruined cathedral of Kenabres, erupts from it at the far end of the plaza, reducing several buildings to ruins as it smashes into this world. The massive demons regards the world from flaming eyesockets and roars in rage, proceeding to go on a rampage.
As the is happening, Terendelev lies on the ground desperately trying to fend off the Storm King's ferocious assault, barely able to dodge his sword strikes at times.
Your attention snaps to the glowing rift the massive flaming demon came forth from, which begins pulsing with an intensifying frequency. Suddenly, it explodes and the terrain warps and ripples, portions of it disappearing or turning into some nightmarish substance. The ground at your feet disappears and you are sent hurtling into the darkness. Surely this is not how it is supposed to end?
As you fall, the dragon, laying near the edge of the pit, seems to notice your plight. Though she clearly knows that death looms over her, she seizes this final chance to save a few more souls. She utters a few arcane words, "Eriikal dim ma'aniis! and stretches out a bleeding talon. You feel her magic take hold of you, slowing your plummet into the darkness as if you were a feather falling into a pit. Yet the fall remains as inexorable, and as you drift downward into the depths, you see the Storm King standing triumphant over Terendelev, bringing his blade down on the ancient dragon's neck, cleaving her head from her body in a single, massive blow. Khorramzadeh lets out a roar of utter triumph as Terendelev's head falls into the pit.
The Storm King eyes you all,
As the Storm King utters these last words, the magic slowing your descent vanishes and you quickly fall. The ground above you seems to shudder and reappear, plunging you into darkness before you hit the ground, knocking you unconscious.
The battle between the Storm King and the dragon left Chi's hands shaking as she tried to quickly reload her weapon. She nearly dropped the paper cartridge in her haste but by the time she had snapped the firearm back into a ready fire position the titanic struggle was winding to a close. Her eyes were wide as saucers as demons poured in, appearing from nowhere and annhilating buildings in mere moments. A long repressed fear gripped her and for a moment she froze, scared stiff of all the flames and death that surrounded her. It's impossible... If the Defender of Kenebras cannot win... Ho- Her body jerked as the ground beneath her fell away and her heart hammered in her chest.
She had barely enough time to relieve the hammer so she didn't shoot herself, however she was rewarded by a heavy blow to the head as she landed roughly somewhere in the darkness below...
Where ever her body was now, it writhed unconsciously as she was gripped by something far worst than a nightmare.
The chatter of gunfire and firearms discharging was everywhere, no where in the warren was safe now that the demons had breached the Gulch Gunner and Warren Knives lines. Kinfolk lay dead all around her feet, some breathing their last and others crying out for help even some dragged themselves despite being partially dismembered...
Smoke filled the warrens now, the demons had filled the caverns with choking foul smelling smoke that numbed the mind and reactions. However Clan Skyre had ingenuity and engineering on their side. Numerian artifacts stolen decades ago kept the worst of the smoke from penetrating the inner warrens but the outer warrens were left on their own. Among their fighters were machines as well that were fighting whatever demons dared to appear but these relics had their limits and were quickly falling to attrition.
Despite the limited success they had it was all coming undone now that the enemy had turned its full attention on their warren. Moving en masse now to crush all resistance in the Wounded Land, it was only a matter of time before they all died. In the smoke came a staggering putrid creature, injured but no less deadly as it lunged to bite out her throat. She barely had time to fire off a shot and drop the creature before it reached her. Spilling its foul ichor on the floor as its brain matter leaked out of the gaping hole she had put in its forehead.
She was fumbling to reload when another stumbled towards her, she drew her cold iron weapon, scrounged from goblin scraps in a burned out lair. Its properties though were devastating to demons so she claimed it as her own. She slashed the creature, her blow glancing off its shoulder as it bite into her side. Spinning the weapon around she rammed it through its right side, piercing its heart and dropping it to the floor. Wounded she staggered back and placing a hand over her injury to stem the bleeding. However, to her surprise it was already healing but not quick enough for what came next.
A kinfolk ran out of the gloom wreathed in flames and behind it came a short creature with the face of a goat and wielding a large flaming axe. She took the opportunity to use one of her bombs against it. Tossing the explosive and watching in delight as it pummeled the short creature however her excitement was short lived as it emerged unharmed and glaring at her. It opened its muzzle and unleashed a flaming breath that consumed the entire cavern she was standing in. The pain made her stagger back, despite feeling her skin try to knit back together on its own she felt... Soiled, Violated in some way she couldn't comprehend.
Before she had time to understand what was wrong the goat faced creature was on her again, knocking her to the ground. Before she could rise the creature clawed her her chest, tearing open her clothing and driving her to the brink of unconsciousness. Her vision began to darken around the edges, but she could see the death that stood over her. It raised its axe and she closed her eyes, not wanting to see what came next. Then came a guttural shout and the sound of grinding gears, her eyes fluttered open to a surprising sight.
An ancient and rusted machine struggled with the short demon, buying her the time to escape. However the demon was far more fierce than the ancient machine. She scrambled away, leaving them to struggle, the demon shrieked at her and she found her way into the inner warrens. A part of her died that day, a demon with eight arms was wreaking havoc among the new generation, ripping the limbs from children in blood fueled glee. She raised her pistol and fired, the shot ricocheted off without even leaving a scratch.
The creature reacted quicker then she could reload, slamming her to the floor and clawing at her still burning flesh. To her horror it noticed her ability to heal and set upon causing her minor wounds over and over again. Reveling in her howls of pain while not letting her fall unconscious, the pain felt like it had lasted for hours or even days...
Korina winced as the dragon's head was severed - they hadn't exactly known each other, but she's respected what the dragon did, and a small bit of fear crept into her heart as she saw such a powerful creature fall. Even as it did, she looked back at the Storm King, fixing his appearance in her mind. <Throd ebumna syha'h. Y-tharanak.> Common wasn't very good at translating the alien tongue that came so naturally to her, but the closest match of ideas would be "You will tremble in the pit for eternity. I promise." Before she could manage anything else, though, darkness overcame her. Her body tended to revert the damage done to it, but that wasn't the same thing as avoiding the damage in the first place...
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Though tougher to cleave through than normal, the demon's skull split open as Tryggve brought down the emerald weapon. With a swift yank, he pulled the blade from its stuck position, aiming his focus to the other monsters that surrounded him. The battle between the Storm King and the great dragon raged in the distance, the near-albino paying little attention to the distant threat. Without warning, the street crumbled beneath his feet; with barely a second to react, Tryggve spun around toward the others, reaching out as he tried to warn them. However, the crumbling ground was too fast, giving the warrior no time to react before he was plunged into the void; for a short moment panic gripped him, before his descent was slowed.
Looking up, the panic returned as the great dragons head tumbled down, and their descent continued. With only a moment before he hit the ground and the light from above faded, Tryggve braced as he struck an incline of rubble, blacking out somewhere between the start and end of his long tumble into the abyss...