Thurrios chooses his most effective ranged attack: acid orb.
If I didn't get True Strike cast, then 20 less
Not seeing a readily available means to get onto the barge, Narkû grabs his rope from his pack and throws the length over the bow, so it hangs on either side.
"Narkû will be up there in a moment, you crazy nutter!"
Thurrios sends a small glob of acid hurtling toward Haidar. Guided by his divination, it splashes against his chest, singing his flesh. If the orison pained the hermit, he certainly does not show it.
Narkû is able to fling a part of its length over the narrow bow of the ship. Because the other end of the rope is not weighted however, it is left dangling.
Noticing the rope, Haidar lets out a harsh laugh.
"Do not even bother! I will be joining you down there shortly..."
Julius is up.
Thurrios sends a small glob of acid hurtling toward Haidar. Guided by his divination, it splashes against his chest, singing his flesh. If the orison pained the hermit, he certainly does not show it.
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Julius turns his head and frowns as Sarala suddenly moves towards him with a strange look in her eye. Haidar's response to him had been very unexpected and directed at Ruika and Sarala rather than him.
Sarala's slightly furry head makes hard contact with the bridge of the arcanist's nose, and the world explodes in a sea of stars and bright light. Julius can feel blood gushing from his nose, and the deep red liquid splatters across Sarala's light-colored fur.
"Ooooowwww!!!" he bellows, clutching the the bridge of his nose and the right eye socket. "Ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow...!!!"
"Snakes about you and in us! Us Julius way we were. So were our cucumbers, something, guys," is what the Vanara says to justify this action. "Boring bottomless buddy."
"Alight! You don't like snakes. Some look like cucumbers, I can agree with that."
Looking down, Julius checks to make sure he's wearing pants. He was pretty certain...phew, he was!
"That was pretty mean, Sarala. I'm sorry if I have been boring you. I guess I have been letting this place go to my head." Julius pouts. He looks at his friend with a wounded expression partially obscured by his hand covering the hurt area.
Julius looks up at Haidar. "Haidar, this place isn't really a good place to talk. I'm certain you realize the Breath of Nephys is not easily understood by those who focus their faith and studies elsewhere. I think maybe we should go out to the temple area to discuss what is to be done here."
Julius' hand lowers slightly and a confused look crosses his face as he notices the damage Thurrios' acid has done to Haidar's clothes and skin. "Haidar...have you been attacked?"
Looking around and seeing most everyone with weapons drawn and Narkû throwing rope around the barque's bow, Julius becomes horrified.
"Wait! What is happening here??
It becomes readily apparent that the hermit is no longer interested in talking. Smiling manically, Haidar raises his free hand and clasps it around the wrist of the arm holding En-Nebi. It takes only seconds for the smile to contort into a look of pure agony. With a sudden jolt, the hermit doubles over, letting out a sharp cry of pain. Still holding the ornate blade close to his chest, his breathing rapidly grows more and more haggard. His body trembles and his teeth grind as some unseen force seems to ravage him from within. In seconds, Haidar’s invisible struggle culminates in a loud, sickening pop.
Haidar continues to groan as his flesh and bones start to change shape, though the sound grows more and more inhuman. His body grows larger as his muscles swell up, bolstering his already impressive physique. Were it not already torn, every last bit of his clothing might have burst at the seams; instead it simply dangles uselessly from his expanded frame, exposing the chain shirt he had been wearing underneath. The Osirian’s haggard features abruptly become more feline, twisting into the visage of a large, predatory cat. Teeth become fangs, fingers become claws, and his dark hair is soon replaced by coat of spotted fur that sprouts out all over his body. All the while, he continues to clutch En-Nebi in a knobby, clawed hand.
Now a hulking cross between man and leopard, Haidar stands at his full height and lets out a massive roar, a sound that echoes all throughout the refuge. With his sheer size now dominating the deck of the barque, he looks down at your group, his madness now reflected in his physical form.
Ruika is up. And then everyone else.
"Julius, you don't see that every day. You taking all of this down?"
"He possessed, by Demon! One of your Ancients, Anapa!?" she shouts out at the room, her voice hoarse with amazement at the splendid scene. "But revoke you, let scouts go Demon. Curse thee!"
Her veil starts to whip around and from beneath her robes the little desert fox jumps away, running towards Julius and hiding around his legs, seemeingly covering at the rage of the White Orc Shaman.
Haidar locks eyes with Ruika for just an instant before quickly looking away, his stance betraying wariness that could be expected from normal animals.
Anapa is up.
The little bit of Divine vengeance he has, he invokes as he comes into the room, ready to attack the abomination.
"Prepare to meet the weigher of souls!" he exclaims as his blade is wreathed in black flame,, as he himself begins to grow larger
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Sarala blinks a few times and feels her forehead where it impacted Julius, blinking in recognition of what she's just done. She shakes her head, "Something is affecting me! Forgive me! I'll stand somewhere else!"
The monk runs forward and jumps off the ground, feet easily clearing her own height with the leap. She grasps onto the side of the barge and draws her sword with her tail to put it in her right hand as she makes it over the edge, taking a couple steps and using an open hand strike with her left, "Meow meow, you psycho! Special technique: Aggressive petting!"
Round Two
Anapa channels his god's power, sensing Haidar's wickedness. He then calls upon his own innate power in an attempt to match the enemy's size.
For anyone else the stunt might have been impossible, but the nimble Vanaran is able to board the floating ship almost effortlessly. Haidar swipes at her with En-Nebi, very nearly landing a direct hit. At the very last second however, the katar strikes her invisible mage armor, causing its blade to glance off harmlessly.
Sarala retaliates with a thrust of her palm, striking the beast's muscular chest. Haidar buckles slightly, taken off-guard by the blow, but it is plain to eye that the monk's stunning fist did not have the desired effect. The creature turns to stare his assailant down, a low growl rumbling from his throat.
Thurrios is up.
Thurrios again chooses his most effective ranged attack: acid orb.
The -4 is for shooting into melee.
Edit: wait, he's large right? So I can aim for parts away from my buddies and not take the -4 right?
With a quick yank of the rope, it comes tumbling back down. He then securely ties the length to the hilt of the longsword at this side.
Thurrios's acid splashes against Haidar's arm and burns away a small patch of fur. He gives the wound a quick once over, but seems far too invested in Sarala to pursue the inquisitor.
Meanwhile, Narkû throws together an improvised grappling hook.
Julius is up.
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"Uuuuuhhh..." Julius replies to Thurrios question. His mind works furiously on remembering more about this.
"Haidar is clearly lycanthropic! Try not to get wounded, everyone!" Julius shouts. "He may try to pounce so he can rake you with his claws."
"Haidar, I don't know if you can still understand me, but this is not the way magic is supposed to be treated. Com back to your senses!"
Dropping the javelin, Julius summons power from the aether around him. His own inner power amplifies the spell even further. A jagged ball of ice forms in his hand, and he winds up to throw it at the lycanthrope on the barque.
Julius' aim is off by a few degrees, his throw sending his supercharged snowball hurtling right into the ceiling. The ball of ice explodes on impact, showering the ship and the combatants on board with a sprinkle of snow.
With a snarl, Haidar suddenly lunges forward, favoring a swing with En-Nebi despite his bestial form. Sarala dodges at the last possible second, but her arm is nonetheless grazed by the tip of the katar's blade. Oddly, the small laceration is overlapped by a bloody claw mark, as though she had been raked by the claws of some invisible predator. Odder still, a nearly identical wound opens on the length of the wereleopard's arm.
Haidar leaves little time for the monk to contemplate this, following up his attack with a snap of his jaws. Sarala is a little too slow to react this time, but once again the mage armor deflects the attack, rattling the beast's fangs. Only a few flecks of spittle actually reach her.
Ruika is up.
Taking a step forward to give her momentum, her arm whips out throwing the flask in a wide arc. Landing upon the barge the swirling crimson and puce tendrils erupt as the glazed container shatters.
Ruika manages to keep her grip on reality long enough for her to toss her alchemist's fire at Haidar. The flask explodes on impact, wreathing the werebeast's back with hot, flaming oil.
Round Three
Meanwhile, Anapa's efreeti magic takes effect, causing him to effectively double in size, putting him just within reach of the barque.
Anapa is up.
I'm up after Sarala and Anapa, so here:
acid orb
Black flamed blade raised, the enlarged Anubian swings his blade at the monster man
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In a swathe of dark flames, Anapa's now giant blade cuts right through Haidar's side, inflicting a wound that even he cannot ignore. The already flaming wereleopard lets out a roar of pain as his flesh hisses in response to the nodachi's holy power.
Sarala is up.
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"Special technique: Grooming session!" says Sarala as she attempts to kick Haidar in the chest, then gripping her temple sword in both hands she attempts to give Haidar a shave. Unfortunately, it seems a shave is all that she gives.
"I guess you just don't appreciate my hard work. I'll go." She steps off the boat and falls back down.
Sarala attempts to follow up on Anapa's attack with a flurry of blows, but despite being wounded and on fire, Haidar is more than ready for the attacks. He bobs and weaves, avoiding the first two attacks with surprising agility, considering his size. The last sword swipe makes contact, but fails to penetrate the wereleopard's fur.
As the Vanara drops off the boat, Haidar attempts to retaliate with a thrust of his blade, but she falls too quickly for him to reach her. After the first five feet however, Sarala's descent slows, allowing her to land as though she were as light as a feather.
Thurrios attempts to lob another orb of acid at the beast, but much like Julius' snowball, it splatters uselessly against the cavern ceiling.
Narkû is up.
"Hmmm... no one is up there now, do I climb or not?
With the rope tied off, Narkû flings his blade in a high arc to get the rope up and over the bow of the barge this time. Then stows his falchion so he can begin his climb in a moment.
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"Bah!" Julius spits. His eyes almost close, and he tries to get his breathing under control. Blood still drips from his bruised nose, and his one eye begins to blacken and become puffy quickly.
"Great Nethys, do I not have your favor at all?" Julius mutters.
Raising the wand of summon monster i, Julius begins the incantation to activate the power within.
N Small celestial vermin
Init +0; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +0
DEFENSES
AC 12, touch 11, flat-footed 12 (+1 natural, +1 size)
hp 4 (1d8)
Fort +2, Ref +0, Will +0
SR 5
Celestial - Resist Acid, Cold, and Electricity 5
Immune mind-affecting effects
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft., fly 30 ft. (poor)
Melee bite +1 (1d4)
Special Attacks Smite evil
STATISTICS
Str 10, Dex 11, Con 11, Int —, Wis 10, Cha 7
Base Atk +0; CMB -1; CMD 9 (17 vs. trip)
Skills Fly +2
SQ luminescence
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Luminescence (Ex) A fire beetle's glowing glands provide light in a 10-foot radius. A dead fire beetle's luminescent glands continue to glow for 1d6 days after its death.
Smite evil/good 1/day as a swift action (adds CHA bonus (+0) to attack rolls and damage bonus equal to HD (+1) against evil foes; smite persists until target is dead or the celestial creature rests).
Narkû tosses his improvised grappling hook up to edge of the barque. Its unwieldy shape makes for an awkward throw, but he manages to get the sword to hook onto the wooden railing of the ship. A sharp tug is all the half-orc needs to know that the rope should be stable enough to climb.
In the meantime, Haidar huffs at Sarala's escape. Instead of pursuing however, he turns his attention to Anapa, glowering down at the giant paladin.
Haidar growls in an unrecognizable voice, some semblance of humanity emerging from within the beast. That semblance quickly shatters when he launches his next attack.
He raises his katar and thrusts it downward, reaching over the edge of the ship. Its blade punches right into Anapa's chest, after which the wereleopard viciously drags it across until it comes out again, leaving a large, messy wound - paired with a sizable claw mark.
Haidar then lunges his head down in an attempt to bite a chunk out of the paladin's shoulder. Fortunately, Anapa is able to use his nodachi's extra long handle to butt away the wereleopard's jaws, sparing himself from additional injury. The beast then hops back toward the other end of the ship, just out of the giant's reach.
Ruika is up.
"Kick his lycanthrope butt Anapa, I will move in to heal you."
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The little foxy creature bounces around Julius' legs as he intones his request from his patron Deity, then with a little sniff Lyssa looks to the falling Vanarian tumbling from the ship. "Yip, yip!" she calls to Ruika, trying to remind the witch of the dangers to her companions.
Then like a tiny fuzzy bullet she bounds over to Sarala and jumps on her shoulder and licks her fur softly. Whilst Ruika focusses on her ancestor spirits.
Lyssa scurries over to Sarala, delivering Ruika's curative spell. The claw mark on her arm closes in an instant, leaving only the shallow cut that the blade itself had left behind.
Anapa is up.
Anapa, quickly, touches his chest before he goes at the creature again, trying to end this as fast as possible
"Anubis will be with me till my death! Greet him for me!" his black flamed sword digging deep into his enemy
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Sarala can't quite push the confusion out of her mind, but even through the fog she can see what's happening on the barge above her.
Sarala snaps a couple of shuriken out of her sleeve, tossing them both towards Haidar. "Things he might know! Alive him to take we need!" Unfortunately, the confusion still manages to jumble her speech a little.
It is only by some miracle that Anapa's tremendous slash does not cut the wereleopard in half. Haidar staggers, dark blood oozing out of his massive chest wound, but owing to his monstrous physique, he still stands. Sarala attempts to add insult to injury by hurling two shuriken his way; the first lightly grazes him, but the other simply bounces off the surface of his fur. The beast is stubborn, but is clearly on his last legs.
Thurrios is up.
Thurrios will cast CLW and move to touch Anapa. Move along the north wall 15' and then go SW for 5'.
Narkû is up.
Narkû throws the longsword and rope over the bow, grabs the two hanging lengths of rope and begins to climb.
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Julius watches with one unpuffy eye as the supersized Anapa slices the wereleopard (werehuman? After all who's to say if maybe Haidar hadn't started off as a leopard...he hadn't shown any problem with killing and eating giant desert beetles after all.)
Thurrios shows his support, and Julius sighs in relief that the inquisitor is able to heal the maximized champion. Seeing Narkû struggling to climb the rope. Julius runs over to let the half-orc use his shoulder for a step stool.
Sadly, Julius is just as useless to step on as he is for hitting targets with javelins.
The summoned fire beetle scurries under the floating barque and attempts to fly up and nip Haidar's flank opposite from Anapa. A strange holy glow suddenly erupts from the fires that curl up from its mandibles.
Narkû attempts to scale his rope, but the weight and restrictiveness of his armor severely impedes his progress. By the end, he has barely lifted himself off the ground. Julius tries to give him a boost, but finds that he just isn't strong enough to push the half-orc further up.
The arcanist's fire beetle scuttles up and clamps its jaws around Haidar's flank, but the bite does not seem to register on the enraged beast.
Seeing that the paladin's wounds have closed up, Haidar wastes no time trying to inflict new ones. Once again En-Nebi cuts into Anapa's flesh, drawing another spray of blood, and once again the ifrit is able to escape the wereleopard's maw. The rest of the oil from Ruika's flask burns up, extinguishing the flames, but leaving Haidar's flesh charred.
Ruika is up.
Seeing Narkû struggle to climb up the barge the cloaked figure shakes her head softly. "Finesse not power." She chides, moving over to take the other rope end. Her long arms close on the end and she takes the stance of an anchor.
Then she calls up to the people on the barge; "Now knock him out, find out where your scouts are." She calls to Thurrios & Anapa.
Anapa is up.
Anapa once again tries to close more wounds that were inflicted, before he moves to attack Haidar again
"There is no escape." he growls. His usual friendly face, contorted into a snarl
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