Kardswann's body jerks as its head is separated from its shoulders and the janni finally dies. For a moment, the flesh of the man's neck twitches and little bits of magic infuse it, but they fade away after but a few moments.
Dmitri is filled with a sense of disappointment and shame, but also of gratification. It is better this way, he thinks, that Kardswann is dead rather than being such a traitor.
Undrella sneers at Kardswann's decapitated body before turning to Angmar and Brek. "Haleen, you say? I seem to remember a particular girl around here by that name...Kardy did love to pit her against his little monstrous lackeys. She should still be downstairs somewhere, wasting away in some pair of bonds."
As Apollo voices his ideas, his intentions are immediately blown away as Je'grik and Dmitri slaughter the Janni.
Well. I guess there's no telling what awaits us now. Good call guys, good call... he thinks to himself, rubbing his hand over the back of his head as he watches Kardswann's head fly over the balcony.
Seconds later, as Angmar throws out his suggestion, Apollo lets out a sarcastic chuckle.
You're telling me you can attach that.....back to that? AND get him talking again? Please do. If there's any truth behind your statement, it'll probably help with things to come.
Apollo then looks at his wounds, realising they've re-opened as Je'grik and Brek air their skills and talents.
Hey, hot head! You're obviously not foe else you'd have attacked us by now. Feel like following me? I'm going down. I'm thinking there's something of worth hidden within the blood and muck of those fleabags down there.
His words, directed at Brek may sound harsh, but it's clear in his tone and attitude that he's just teasing the new guy in a friendly, playful manner.
Angmar's little legs carry him off faster than anyone would have believed at the mention of his long time friend. Desperately seeking a way "downstairs".
At the mention of Haleen, Brek is already moving as he makes his way past Apollo, He offers a bow and a cheeky grin.
"After you and oh heads up!" as he takes off in the direction Undella pointed, easily outpacing the dwarf. Leaving his witty repartee along in his dust.
Haleen is still alive!
Ey where you thinks you goin! Angmar grumbles as the hot headed man surpasses him. His mind races to try ad place him. As he thinks things through he comes to the conclusion that while he's never met the man he's heard Haleen mention him before. Was his name Berk or maybe ... no it must be Berk.
He looks at the now headless body and grins.
"A clean cut. Reminds me of the days when I first got my blade here."
Kori watches the others rush back off toward below, Lizard-friend and Short-legs with... another person that helped in the fight. She shrugs, leans down to the body, and starts wrestling it out of the big spiky armor. She can't wait to try it on.
After me? Ha!
Apollo then takes a running leap and vaults himself over the balcony.
Let's hope this ring does something!
landing safely as his ring kicks into effect, the man makes his way over to the decimated body of Ugruk, picking up arrows from the fallen Gnoll's along the way.
Can't complain really. I've used hardly any of my arrows and have more presented to me! Who needs a marketplace when you can obtain such items from your fallen enemies? Ha.
As Apollo nears Ugruk, he notices the cowering bartender but chooses to ignore him....for the minute.
Taking off his armour just around the corner, he thinks to himself I like my armour and I hate the stench of these worthless dogs, yet to defeat their leader, I MUST BECOME ONE! as he removes Ugruk's armour and slips into it himself.
....and what is this exactly? said the man, as he lifted up the three pointed nun-chaku.
Wearing the armour of their generals. What a great way to terrify their kind! I hope you're ready Ghartok, because you're next!
Noticing the ring, Apollo also picks that up, sliding it from Ugruk's finger as he places it on his own, moments before making his way back around the corner and drawing out his hammer as he slowly walks towards the last surviving Gnoll at the Bar.
Brek and Angmar dash down the stairs to the lower floor, desperately looking into doors and behind walls and under beds and in the closet and oh my god it was right where they left her. (just kidding).
It takes several minutes for the pair of them to search the bottom floor, and the smugglers make room for them to move around. There isn't really anyone else down there, although they do find a room filled with a bunch of magic gear. It doesn't look like it was the gnolls', or they would have been using it...and then the pair of them find the amulets. Each is just a leather necklace with a silver lion's head on it. Hm.
Discarding those things for now, they continue to search. Ripping open one of the last doors on the bottom floor reveals exactly who they're looking for. Hands manacled and trapped in a dark room, Haleen nontheless looks hale and hearty. She's cut her brown hair short since the last time that you saw her, and her olive skin looks somewhat burned and a little bit bruised. She regards you coldly for just a moment before she recognizes just who the pair of you are. She springs up, dashing to the door. "Brek...and...and Angmar! God, I never thought I'd see either of you again...How did you get here? You have to get out! The gnolls and Kardswann will kill you!"
Knowing that he has nowhere to go and no way that he defeats Apollo, the bartender waits until Apollo is busy changing his armor out before he makes a run for it, dashing out from behind the bar and towards the gates to the outside of the Battle Market.
Berek embraces Kadeja tightly, tears shoot to the stout Dwarves eyes but luckily no one can see him down here.
Me girl ye still alive! Was lookin fer ye all over this god forsaken place! the Dwarf sobs trying to control his emotions.
As Apollo's getting changed, he hears scampering from around the corner where the bar was.
Peering around, he gives off a slight sarcastic chuckle as the Gnoll runs off.
No point chasing after him now he's shown his true nature.
RUN HOME LITTLE PUP, AND MAKE SURE YOU TELL GHARTOK OF ALL THE GORY DETAILS YOU WITNESSED HERE. I'M COMING FOR YOU ALL!!!! he shouts, ending the statement with a large, loud and boisterous laugh.
Once Kori manages to shimmy the armor off the big man, made easier by his lack of head, she looks at Pain-Lover and Snake-eyes with both anger and suspicion. She says something to Snake-eyes "You're lucky you healed me. Touch me again without my permission and I will punch you in the manhood. Ask Pain-lover about that." before dragging the new armor over to where she dropped her sword. She picks up the blade, and finds an unoccupied room with a door to change her armor in.
"Good luck, Night Skin, I'm more reptile than mammal." He hisses back, amused, though not unwary. Those spikes might be a good equalizer after all. He looks around at the group(or those still in his line of sight), and wonders what led such a... strange... group of people to join against Kardswann.
She just looks at him confused, his response not making much sense to her. Why would he wish her luck in hitting him, unless he's like Pain-lover, but what does it have to do with reptiles and mammals.
Dmitri, watching the armor come off of him as the various gnolls and smugglers take off in their various directions, lets out a sigh as he somewhat falls into Undrella, stabilizing himself. The rather open wound on his hip was rather apparent to anyone, but it wasn't going to hold him back at all, really... His eye had been taking to him more and more throughout the combat, and the vile act he'd just committed was something to behold, even if no one had exactly caught it.
Looking down at the scythe, he scoffed. It had flown to him when he needed it, and it had been placing these feelings that weren't his own into his mind. He didn't like that. Dmitri's true feelings towards kardswann were that of justice done for the sake of Undrella, and merely to enjoy combat where he would sustain injury, and oh, how he had.
Taking the scythe, he kneeled down and tossed it a few feet away, inching back towards a pillar to relax and breathe easy. He smiled at the conversation between Koritylija and Je'grik. With a laugh, he commented; "His weaknesses aren't so readily available, if that's true, Koritylija." he said with a bit of a chuckle, which was immediately followed with intense pain in his left eye and lower jaw. It had shifted and it most certainly felt like something was trying to literally escape his face.
The pain wracked his body, and so he rolled as he clasped the left side of his face and jaw.
"Ah, now there's something for me to do." Je'grik says as he walks up to Dimiti. "You are a strange soft-skin, but strong. Let me see your jaw, farmer."
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Brek absently mindedly takes the pair of amulets. Shiny after all.
All the doors either were picked open by hims or smashed open by Angmar. Who cares? They got it open no matter the results.
Finding Haleen though was a bittersweet moment as the dwarf rushes to her and engulfs her in a massive hug.
"Kardswan? Oh He got ahead of himself. Losing his head over an argument that didn't turn out to well for him....On the other hand, didn't see any gnolls on the way down here. Well at least any living ones. By the way, Nice hair. The gnolls do hair styling here too?"
His fiery eyes brim with tears as finally he's done what he wanted to do and that was to find her again. Drinking in the sight of her, and setting it into his memory for evermore.
"Oh by the way, I came looking for you, got captured, escaped and ran into Angmar here and his friends. Wanna join us?" in his own way of summary.
As Apollo finally finishes switching armour, an idea springs to mind!
One tooth for each kill. Front teeth for grunts. Fangs for Captains. Time to embrace my mission and strike true fear and terror into the heart of their furry, murderous leader!
With that, Apollo places his hammer on the ground, and pulling out an arrow from his quiver, he pries Ugruk's Fang from his mouth.
1.
Then, moving over to the other four dead Gnoll's, he does the same but with their front teeth, counting as he goes along.
2.....3.......4....
He stops before he gets to 5 as he sees the half-dead Gnoll still crawling across the floor.
Hey, you down there! Who said you could go anywhere? You work for someone and I'm sending a message for him to see. Sorry, but...
With that Apollo then curbstomps the Gnoll (no improved unarmed strike, so an AoO from a Gnoll on 0hp) to death, before pulling its tooth from its head also.
Eurgh!! he said out loud as he shook the blood from the tooth.
5!
The Tiefling looks closely at Dimitri's jaw, trying to determine the source of his 'discomfort'. He decides the scythe-weilder must have been hit there during the fight just a minute go.
"You aren't in the besst condition, but a simple sspell will help out, if you can sstand a person 'good of heart' touching." He laughs slightly.
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A Mercenary's Victory and Finally, a Bit of Rest:
The victory of the PCs is a very hard-won one, and a long time coming. For the past several days, Kori, Dmitri, Apollo, and Angmar had been hard at work infiltrating Kelmerane and taking down its gnoll invaders, and finally with Apollo's unceremonious curbstomping of the half-dead gnoll injured by Undrella earlier, the last of the dogs had been defeated.
Angmar and Brek (an ifrit found to have been imprisoned within the Battle Market by Kardswann) were reunited with their childhood friend Haleen, also imprisoned within the Battle Market. It turns out that she had been forced to fight gnolls, the ogre brawler, and bugbears periodically by Kardswann, and it was only because of her fairly impressive martial puissance that she had survived. Tears and hugs are passed all around between the trio.
Along with their victory come the spoils of victory, and the rich magical equipment they've found is shared all 'round. Thousands of gold coins are found within Kardswann's room, in a chest underneath his bed, more than any have seen before. It's an amazing opportunity for all.
Watches are set up, the goblin is dismissed (and he is so grateful for his life) by Apollo, and the smugglers (who are named Jemao, Darvan, and Alara) are told to keep quiet for now. They have most common equipment for sale should one of you want it, but they acquiesce and stay out of your way.
A few days go by, then, with the Battle Market under the command of the PCs, and one or two of them going out to gather the people that they've left behind. The manor house is visited so that Oxvard and Felliped can be gathered, and they're happy to rejoin the company of people and have more space and safety again, although the Battle Market itself harbors bad memories for them.
Dmitri spends each night in blissful, kinky, disgusting union with Undrella on Kardswann's spacious and deliciously comfortable bed. Their screams of pain and pleasure are a constant source of nighttime, daytime, eveningtime, and morningtime annoyance for all of the residents of the Battle Market.
Apollo is sent to fetch Almah from her perch in the monastery that overlooks Kelmerane. Returning to that place is a strange thing for the barbarian warrior, as it seems like nearly months ago that he was there last, although it was less than a full week. Although a very short amount of time has passed, Nom is delightfully happy to see his master again, although the other people in the monastery are a little more grim. There are no more wagons outside, only broken-apart pieces of wood and dead horses, and several new graves litter the area outside. Investigating inside, Apollo discovers that the place had been attacked and that most of Almah's guards had been killed, leaving only a single Pactmaster Guard, Almah herself, Garavel, and Father Zastoran (greedily hoarding his remaining potions). Asking them for their story, it turns out that Dashki had been allied with a tribe of gnolls and had tried to bargain for Almah's alliance. Things had escalated and there had been a battle with casualties on all sides. Almah is ecstatic to find that the Battle Market is free and open for her, and she gratefully leaves the monastery behind.
A few days beyond their conquering of the Battle Market, the PCs have all of their resources within their grasp - Almah and her servants, Felliped and Oxvard, the smugglers and Undrella, and all of the treasure of Kardswann. Hearing the tales of a creature underneath the temple, Almah isn't exactly...surprised, but she is taken a bit aback. She draws a long red rod from inside her cloak, with a widened end and a rune on the widened end. She explains that it's called an interdict key and was given to her by the Pactmasters just in case she needed to break a seal they'd placed in the town...she hands it over to the PCs at their reports of a "Xulthos". Looking pointedly at Kori, she explains that she'd be prepared to offer them significant rewards for their aid, and with the completion of this task, their contract with her would be finished.
After clearing out Kelmarane and disposing of the enemies that awaited within the Battle Market, Apollo finished prying his trophies from the jaws of his foe before once again rejoining his newly met travelling companions.
Angmar and Brek had a lot to catch up on as they enjoyed their reunion with Haleen and it seemed that everyone had at least something to do, save for Apollo who remained quiet during the calm of the following few days.
As time passed, eventually it came up in conversation that a volunteer was needed to check up on those still back at the monastery. Only one was necessary now that the area had been cleared and so Apollo stepped forward, partly because he was missing the warming sight of Almah, but mostly due to missing his little mischief maker, Nom.
Before making his way across the sandy plains once more he had a good search for some protective wear, grabbing cloth and curtain still present in the surrounding buildings. It was better to wear some form of protection in the battle against the harsh sandstorms surrounding after all....even if it was just makeshift.
Departing from the group, Apollo looked forward to seeing how Nom was doing back at the Monastery, going over things in his mind as he forcefully marched across the desert. Enough time passed and he eventually reached his destination, only to find it but a mere shell of its former self.
As the wind defied the mans every step, Apollo waded through the sandy sea, clambering over broken bits of wood, of which were trade carts not but a week ago.
The closer he got, the more dead animals and and newly dug graves he found.
What the hell happened here while we were gone? This place is done for... he thought to himself, taking note of all that surrounded him.
It wasn't long before the sudden realisation of a possible massacre hit the man, and at that moment his pace picked up as he hurriedly made his way toward the open hole in the Monastery's wall.
Nom, Almah, the Doc....I hope you're all safe! I'm coming...I won't be long now, so just hang in there guys.
After what seemed like a lifetime of worried thoughts, a minute or two had passed and Apollo was finally inside the Monastery walls. Greeted by the crimson tone of blood plastered around the walls and floors of the interior, the wild man made his way from room to room, eventually finding Almah, Nom, Garavel, one Pactmaster and the Doc holed up downstairs in what used to be the Alchemist's Laboratory.
Echoes could be heard as Apollo made his way downstairs. Almah and her troupe knew that it could be another enemy, but Father Zastoran was too pre-occupied with his potions to really bat an eyelid at the "intruder". As the tall and dark figure made his way down the last few steps, the surviving members readied their weapons, but soon dropped their guard when they realised it was Apollo.
Being the first to ask, Garavel questioned the survival of the others, but Apollo was quick to state they were all safe in Kelmarane's Battle Market, following a successful mission.
Explaining the events of days past, Apollo was relieved to see at least some of the people he'd met previously, still standing, live and well, yet there was no sign of Nom.
Placing his usual charm on Almah, as unprofessional as it appeared to Garavel, the man did have stirrings for the woman and hesitantly asked the whereabouts of his Lizard-Friend. He needn't have bothered though because moments later, he spotted movement by Almah's feet, and looking down, noticed a "not-so-small anymore" body sway out from behind the beautiful woman as Nom came bounding towards him.
It seemed Nom had grown a bit since they last met, likely from the protein of the numerous dead bodies he most likely half-ate before chasing bugs and butterflies around like normal.
Now standing tall at about 5ft high, Nom had hit his first true growth spurt!
Apollo was shocked to see how big his friend had grown, though it was apparent Garavel and all those left alive were unhappy with the Ranger, and at the same time overly cautious and untrusting towards the lizard....which was understandable really, it being a Carnivore and all.
Regardless, Apollo grabbed Nom around the neck and playfully wrestled him to the floor, excited by the reunion of Nom and all those around him.
Thanks for keeping my little buddy alive! I hope he wasn't too much trouble!? he questioned, on the floor.
As he clambered to his feet, he addressed everyone of the situation and lead them all back upstairs into the main hallway of the Monastery. Grabbing what was left and salvaging what they could, the survivors had Apollo take lead in case of any unsuspecting Gnoll attacks, but before they left, the Ranger retrieved his large egg once more and carried it back towards Kelmarane, Nom by side and Almah's crew not far behind.
As they trekked back, Apollo had many questions for Almah as she did he.
What happened back there and where's that long haired guy anyway? I guess it's not all bad though. I mean you're all still alive. Gotta look at the positives! laughed Apollo in an attempt to lighten the mood.
As Brek shares his own adventures with Haleen, he finds himself stricken.
His quest was over, he had found Haleen and rescued her and then? He found in himself an urge to travel further and learn more about the world outside. Haleen was right about one thing he realised, once bitten by the adventuring bug, it's a hard itch to scratch.
Over the days as he lend his skills to the rather disparate group to help identify their loot and barter it off for the best prices available. He observes them and most especially Angmar, a dwarf that seemed to know of Haleen as well.
Approaching the dwarf, Brek pulls what little courage he has and poses his question.
"I'm not sure how to broach this subject but I thought I would ask you first seeing that we have common ground in Haleen.
I would like to join your little group as I find myself a yearning to seek beyond my meagre horizons.
I have some skill in the arts of magic, lock picking and perhaps sneaking around. I have being told as well that I'm eloquent as well as being crass when needed. What say you?"
After speaking though, Brek realises that he may sounded like a battle market vendor.....
Kori spends the earliest chunk of her time finding a room as far removed from the others as possible. She finds a room that looks to be an office, attached to a small church of sorts, and throws out the desk and brings in a bed. She feels comfortable in the room, it having only a single door and removed from the majority of the other sleeping quarters. Besides, it's where she first changed into her nice new armor.
Speaking of the armor, she had been spending a few days getting the feel for it. Despite being on a man, it fit her perfectly, almost like it was made just for her. She wonders briefly if she is as bilky as a human male, or if his bilk was not real and he was really lithe like a drow woman.
Her usual morning exercises were more easily done on the big fighting stage in the center, and on more than one occasion she had a sparring partner or two. She found that the person Short-legs and Fire-top were looking for was good for sparring. She was a powerful woman, that knew how to fight, and didn't back down. It made for good practice and kept her from growing bored and violent, taking out her frustration on the furniture. Kori had even gone so far as to assign her an almost affectionate title of Teacher, for her connection with the other two and what she learned by fighting with her.
There was an occasion where she had to threaten one of the merchants for being too forward with her, but she didn't tell Pain-lover, because she doesn't how far the odd man would go to defend her. Besides, from the way the guy hastily leaves whenever she comes around, she thinks she turned away his interests just fine.
She is uncertain about Fire-top and Snake-eyes, they don't seem to be too much of a problem, but she keeps a wary eye on them nonetheless. When Fire-top starts blabbering on about all the stuff they found and what all it does, she is delighted to learn that her new armor has magic. She is also interested to learn that one of the potions can make her fist magical. She expresses interest in that as well. As they pore over the findings, she offers up her extra unneeded blade, since she prefers the long sword.
When Lizard-friend returns with Head-woman and the others, Kori once again begins to feel like she is still someone's property. However, when Head-woman explains the last thing needed to be the true master of her own freedom, Kori merely nods in acceptance.
Je'grik spends his time mostly alone unless bothered, working on his sword swings and sitting in the sun to feel his Goddess' power.
After her incident with Darvan, the rest of the merchants begin to avoid Kori, eyeing her carefully whenever she emerges from the room she's picked in a corner of the Battle Market and keeping a wary distance from her.
Her duels with Haleen go well, and the woman is definitely not a pushover. Haleen is a patient and slow fighter, a contrast to Kori's powerful and fast way of attacking. When Kori does her two-handed attacks on the woman, Haleen merely spins aside, raising her heirloom buckler for the blade to slide off of as she spins the rapier around for a stab, using her body's momentum in the spin to power the attack. Haleen is a dextrous fighter, and while Kori is much stronger and tougher, Haleen seems well-trained nontheless.
The fights, as they take place on the Battle Market stage, become a piece of staple entertainment for the cooped-up group over the days.
Almah and her employees are mightily glad to see Apollo as he enters the Monastery, and are even more glad to find that the Battle Market is safe and open. Packing up what little they have left, they readily leave.
On the subject of Nom, Garavel speaks up, "Actually, in a way, it was him that kept us alive. There were a few of those dastardly gnomes that got through the Pactmasters' line and I don't know that I would have been able to take them down by myself."
On the subject of Dashki, Almah shakes her head, raising her hood as they go outside. She spits into the sand. "Dashki betrayed us. It turns out that he as a member of some gnoll tribe, and he tried to negotiate with them and forge some sort of alliance. Well, we wouldn't stand for that, and they attacked. Bloodiest battle of my life."
Angmar looks the man over and shrugs. Whado I care mate. Ye knows I'm a mercenary. I choose the fight I get paid to fight. And I came her eto find Haleen. I hear we is supposed to take care of this Demon. Then I'm goin back to Katapesh. Best I take Haleen wit me... If ye wants to work with these crazy people go ask Lady Haleen, she'll see the merit!
Brek holds his head up eye, idealism shining in his eyes.
Haleen won't mind, that's what she trained me for. To be independant after all. I can always learn the mercernary ways after all one always needs a way to earn some coin. My skills at both magic and scouting would prove useful I reckon."
A little surprised by Garavel's remark, Apollo smirks slightly before responding.
Well, I'm glad he proved himself an ally and not a pest. Still, he's gonna be a lot harder to handle when he gets bigger, so good thing he and I are one of the same! I wouldn't worry too much though. I'll train him to work in tandem with me and then we'll have a force to be reckoned with!
Apollo laughs as he beckons Nom to his side before joining those in attendance and ascending the stairs, on a mission to reclaim his egg.
Looking rather silly with his giant egg, the man leaves the Monastery and groups back up with Almah, Garavel, Father Zastoran and the Pactmaster who are already waiting outside.
Sorry! I've been meaning to come back for this! he says as he nods towards the egg.
It was nestled in with several other eggs that Kori, along with the others, decided to eat. Being the last one I could save, I actually left Nom to guard it, but I don't suppose he did a good job with that. Still, we could do with allies and if this one takes to me you can add one to your list of companions!
Turning to Almah and aking about Dashki, Apollo's curiosity turns more to concern.
That complicates things. My uncle did the same thing and was mostly responsible for the deaths of my whole family, so I had no choice but to put him down like the dogs he worked with. Still, Gnoll's I hate. Humans I don't. Would keeping him alive be the better thing here, or is he now dead to you all? the man questions.
As the group depart and make their way for Kelmerane, Apollo looks to Almah, quietly complimenting her out of earshot from Garavel.
To lose so many, it must have been a bloody battle indeed and yet, your looks remain unblemished. he said, as he turned from the woman to focus on the path ahead.
Smiling but with a warm and welcoming, heart felt expression...as opposed to his usual care free attitude, it's clear that Apollo means well in his choice of wording as his hopes yet linger.
The battles between Haleen and Kori drew Je'grik's attention every day. He watches carefully, intrigued. There was so few finesse warriors passing through the arena that he'd been fascinated by the fluid movements each time such a combatant showed up. He'd never match that kind of expertise, not with his fiendish blood and savage history, but he could still enjoy it.
Garavel almost grins as he answers Apollo's question about Dashki, but doesn't quite. He restrains his emotions just in time to say, "Yeah, and he's dead to everyone else as well. We burned his body after we cut him down for his betrayal."
As for her injuries, Almah says, "Well, it's just thanks to Father Zastoran. It was a harrowing fight, but having a divinely-empowered healer around helps an awful lot."
After a few days, Apollo returns with Almah and the rest of her group, and with the passing-over of the interdict key, the mercenaries are ready to finish their mission here in Kelmerane.
As for the pair of Brek and Je'Grik, she repeats the offer that she gave to the other mercenaries. 500gp a head for their services this time around, and the possibility of further work in the future, should they prove themselves.
Gathering together their weapons, their wits, and their newly ill-gotten gains, they trek across the empty town to the cathedral, where the creature is reported to be. The cathedral is much the same as it was left, dead huecuva and all. Complete silence dominates the stone building, but for the sound that the party members create, and it doesn't take long for them to find the massive, glowing-red door that the interdict key corresponds to. It looms before them, promising the unknown.
Brek happily bids Haleen goodbye as he joins the rest for their trip into the unknown. 500 gp was good money with future work. Yes the Future looks bright indeed.
He waits as they stop in front of the door.
"So who's got the key?" he asks.
As they make their way to the cathedral, Kori scowls at the two newcomers. She decides to say something, at last, to Fire-top "I already warned Snake-eyes, but I'll tell you the same. Don't touch me unless I say it's okay. He did it to heal me, so you better have a damn good reason before you do so."
As they get to the place and find the glowing door, she looks at Short-legs expectantly, and then Fire-top asks what she was thinking. She figured Short-legs had it. He is the kind that expects everything to be done a certain way. All the rest of them did their own thing. He was more the type to be given the responsible things to do.
Angmar produces the key and approaches the door.
Ye all ready?
Brek grins at his new female drow companion.
"Touch you? Why would I need to do that? I'd prefer not to get splattered across the landscape thank you very much. Touching you would be something I'm adverse to do so myself so no worries there. Any spells I have do not lend themselves to healing, I can assure you."
Making a point to edge away slightly from Kori.
"Sscared of the Moon Hair, Brek?" Je'grik asks, laughing slightly. "Thats good. She has a predator's feel about her, like a spider waiting to strike... It's fun."
Kori has her blade out and ready, uncertain what lays beyond the red portal. Her face is a mask of steely dtermination, her eyes intensely focused on the destination. "Let's do this, you short-lifers are that much closer to death the longer we wait."
"Afraid? I know no fear. I laugh at it in fact. I practice Prudence. No sense looking for trouble when it so ardently desires me." his return jib has fast as the fire in his eyes, Brek returns with a grin. He strikes a heroic pose to further state his point.
In that same pose, Brek speaks.
"Short-lifers? What's so fun about you long livers?? Must find a lack of things to do then. Makes you all grumpy and glum."
Then one of our thorns have been removed. comments Apollo, as Garavel speaks of Dashki's death.
Turning to Almah, Apollo smiles and tries not to laugh a little over the attractive woman's response.
It was a subtle compliment, deserved of such a fine woman, but I feel it fell flat somewhere along the lines.
As Kelmerane comes into sight, the egg carrying, dino-loving man shakes his head as he looks around the now empty town, before addressing those he's in the company of.
It appears you too are a force to be reckoned with, so let's just hope those above favour us and your true goal Almah!
After regrouping with the mercenaries who stayed behind, Apollo, along with all those in attendance made his way over to the Cathedral.
Back to the room of death. he mumbles under his breath, as the party once again enters the building, stepping over all previous corpses that no doubt fell victim to the Huecuva.
As the group approaches the huge, glowing red door, Apollo monitors Nom before laughing at the conversation going on around him.
I wouldn't worry about our life span. We're all asking for death just by being here. Though, the question is, who will be the last to remain standing?
Amused by his last statement, Apollo watches as Angmar produces the key, before petting Nom and preparing himself for immediate combat.
Angmar, it's up to you now. Let's get these doors open!
For the days where idle time is abundant and serene, Dmditri does nothing but wonder the battlements. He'd been fascinated with the place upon his arrival, and he would tend to Undrella later, as expected. For just a while, however, he strutted around looking for people, taking in gazes as his enormous wound healed nicely.
At this point Dmitri's wounds healed as if it were a talent. Even the largest of cuts wouldn't leave behind too large a scar, but even he couldn't suffer a blow from Kardswann without something being left behind. While it was thin, a rather elongated mark traced his hip, somewhat grandly.
When the others arrive back, including Apollo, Dmitri remembers in full part that the last time the cleric had crossed paths with him that he hadn't been so... endowed... with negative energy. A thought that pleased him rather greatly, to make matters more enjoyable. In all actuality, he had been, but the colossal loss of blood that day made it entirely a blur.
At the mention of more things to kill, Dmitri wastes no time, save for the hours with Undrella after his enthusiastic walks, in getting to the door. Angmar had had the key, but something about this place prior had well and truly bothered him. As he looked around, everyone seemed... tougher than what they'd originally been when he'd first met them. Angmar and Kori specifically looked powerful beneath their new battlements, and he somewhat scowled at the sight of such a brutally large axe on such a tiny combatant.
The new arrivals tickled his fancy, if only because he knew exactly what Jegrik was. He'd even fancied the thought of siring something like that at some point. Certainly, it would do lilith proud. A rather scaly, fearsome man at first glance, Dmitri could tell that he'd become somewhat in tune with his fierce blood, and augmented it accordingly. His scales seemed stronger than normal tieflings...
At the door, he drew his scythe, but fancied the idea of grabbing his shield instead, depending on how things went. His new armor fit like a glove, and stood out nicely, as he'd hoped. Truly he felt stronger than ever.
Prior to all of this, Dmitri couldn't help but feel the strange growth, something that became apparent the other day, slinking it's way out from his brow. Whatever lilith had intended for it to do, it was most certainly doing. His jaw and neck felt somewhat funnier as well, but he didn't think about it too much. If he wasn't going to question the wills of the local townswomen, he wasn't about to even begin to argue with his grand sovereign...
Hiding the mark out of sight however, was for the best, and he came to battle today equipped with his hair draped across the front left side of his face. His eye had also began to change color, for better or worse.
He merely nodded as he trained his gaze upon the massive red doors.
Angmar looks to Apollo m and nods sticking the key in the door and opening it wordlessly.
The interdict key interlocks perfectly with the door, and the monstrous red gate swings open slowly, on its own, until what gapes before them is a massive, dark hole. Angmar, Brek, and Je'Grik can see in the dark, but Dmitri lights a torch to light the way for the others as they descend.
Worked stone surrounds them and the only evident sound is the tap-tap of their sensible boots and the clank-clank of their new (or old) armor pieces. Passing through a few different (but all empty) rooms, this place is found to be a quite sensible and necessary addition to any temple - a tomb. While this place may once have been filled with funerary trappings, ash-jars for dead clerics, and offerings to the dead, it is now only filled with shards of class and ceramic, destroyed relics, and dust. Inquisitive as Brek (or whomever else) may be, the party moves on.
Coming around a corner in the expansive ruined tombs, the party exits through another archway to enter another chamber.
This chamber stands in stark contrast to the craftsmanship of worked stone of the rest of the crypt—instead, here looms a vast cavern. The air is damp and cold, and moist, writhing roots hang down from the ceiling twenty feet above. Puddles of reeking fluid dot the floor, and at the far end a jagged upthrust lance of stone rises from the ground to form a steeply-sloped platform. Seated atop the platform, just resting on the stone, is a strange sight. An elaborately-golden-robed and long-haired old human man sits atop the stone. His face lined with wrinkles, the wisdom is almost palpable from this one.
The man, however, is something far less innocuous. A monstrous, purple, chitinous hulk is held aloft by six legs. Claw-like pincers wave in front of a face composed of incredibly powerful-looking jaws and four eyes. A tail topped with a long and dangerous spike waves above the long and thick body, and a pair of comically small wings buzz calmly on the thing's back.
The old man speaks up when you enter. "Ah, visitors. It has been ever so long. Please, come, sit by me. I wish to tell you about how I was imprisoned here."
Kori loudly guffaws a mirthless sardonic laugh, "Ha! Why the hells do you think we care? How you were imprisoned doesn't change the fact we're here to kill you."
Brek glances around as the party enters what reveals itself to be a tomb. He'd would have like to explore more with the cursory glances he could give, there wasn't anything much of value around but the group which he joined up seemed to keeping to some kind of pace. Shrugging he moves to follow.
Seeing the old man there though and his invitation to sit and listen, he was more than inclined to do so but then this Kori proclaimed their intention to kill him.
Now that made a difference in his options available doesn't it.
"Why not we listen from way over here?" as he edges once more from the scary drow.