"What about the necromancer? This Vreeg is just an apprentice, is he not?"
"Yes, Vreeg is only the apprentice. Ryloth, the master necromancer is not here."
Ashe casually checks Vreeg's body, "..Vreeg still lives but is fading fast... do you want me to save him for questioning? He will die... make no mistake, and I do not think he will tell you anything useful even if I do... temporarily stay his execution. He has no incentive to cooperate. I'll not save him just so you can torture him. Best to just let Vreeg die. Decide."
"Let it die, then. Saving him would only use up more resources we don't have access to at the moment, and that we might need for ourselves in the future. But mostly, we should put an end to this necromancer's claims on the Warrens as soon as possible, beginning with the death of his apprentice."
Leave him. We'd be better off searching the notes here for other clues to Rolth's other hideout's if he has any. And no doubt the church will set a guard here in case he returns. Let's find and destroy the golem.
Ashe nods in agreement... refraining from using his 'sacred touch' to stabilize the villain and lets him meet his well-deserved reward in whatever afterlife Vreeg has coming to him...
"Then let's be off to the parts and rooms of this lair we have not explored."
Ashe leads the way through the twisting corridors back to prisoner pits first [D9] and drawing and reading his shield as he moves cautiously to investigate the far east passage that was ignored before. He pauses allowing Varrel to take pint if he so desires...
"Should we - after all is said and done - also put up an ambush for Ryloth? Presumably he'll want to visit 'his' warren again."
"Possibly. But I'm sure the church will take care of that. But also... do you think Ryloth trusts his 'apprentice' not to do the same? There are numerous ways to magically check on his lair before he ever has to come anywhere near it. Not saying we shouldn't but that I'm pretty sure it will not catch him. He may already know his apprentice Vreeg is dead."
Hytogg gathers up all the "Further Inspection required" items, and hurries after the group, trying to keep everything from falling out of his hands, and stuffing them in sacks as he goes.
Where the hells is this thing? I suppose we could return to your Derro, Ashe, and show him the parts from the one we cut up to ensure if it was or wasn't the golem he spoke of. In any case let's get those people to safety.
Ashe is perplexed.
Raising his vizor, "Yes, disturbing to not be able to find - decidedly one of the most dangerous opponents here. Yes, back to Nexus... there is a door to the south in that room that we did not enter... if I recall. Perhaps there are... spare body parts stored there? Whether we find the golem or not is disappointing but we must find the last piece of Gaekhan's body! I hope the Otyug did not already devour it, which would explain why its missing..."
Ashe leads the way back to the Lab [D7] where Nexus waits, and heads toward the southern door. [Room D8]
"If this golem is supposed to be large, I don't think its in the warrens. There's not enough room for it to move around, except in the carved out spaces. Some of these tunnels are barely 2 and a half feet wide."
Ashe nods, "True.. most golems are large constructs.. they would have to really squeeze to move through some of these areas if they could at all."
"Let's look around and see if we can find the last part of the Sheonti, then get out of here."
After crawling around amongst corpses, dirt, and the gods know what else, Una wants a bath.
Varrel seeing the boards, casts Detect Magic and looks for trouble.
This was not here..
Ashe walks over to Nexus to check on him and make sure his manacles are not binding him... or for that matter are loose either.
Ashe will offer Nexus a piece of trail jerky, "Vreeg is no more... he will not threaten you or anyone else again. Nexus, why is that door to the south boarded up?"
Majenko will land on Ashe's shoulder wrapping his tail around Ashe's shoulder and upper chest to secure his perch, regarding the Derro with open curiosity... and pesters Ashe for a piece of the tough jerky as well...
I shall not be unmannerly enough to comment on whether or not Una needs a bath... :)
You all head back to D8, finding that the door is boarded over. You will need to remove or break the boards to get in there...
"Boards, hmmmm? Shakhan, I'm sure you can take care of these easily."
"hrmph - let me have a look," Shakhan's frame bulges as the muscles strain, to slowly pry the boards apart. "This place, as a whole, was rather disappointing. I've seen warm-up matches that had more fight in them than this place."
Una raises an eyebrow.
"Be careful what you wish for. Especially when pushing through boarded doors. We don't know what's on the other side, really."
Ashe steps forward and gently touches Shakhan's shoulder for attention...
"Just a moment friend Shakhan, Una makes a valid point... its only wood.. let me detect for evil beyond the door... ere you continue to complete your task. "
Ashe concentrates beyond the boarded up door...
It's in there? Marvelous. Shaktan will get his fight.after all.
Shaktan, would you like aid? Or would you rather fight it alone?
At a minimum, I can temporarily enchant your Axe and Master Hytoog could bless us all?
It's stench will be a problem in these confines but I have nothing.for.that.
Ashe... steps back.
He takes a silent position next to Master Hytogg. His longsword, , is out... but at rest, point setting on the the flagstones; Ashe's gauntlet hands on the pommel - parade rest.
He watches, visor up, patiently.
Varrel waits for Shaktan's response to offer aid. Your Axe? I also have a scroll that will..Varrel casts a quick look at Ashe, Accellerate your healing for a bit. Should help you, should the thing manage a lucky strike.
Shakhan nods, "hrmph, magic can only do so much - but sometimes it is what is needed."
Ashe smiles, "I know what spell you are... not... speaking of Magus Varrel. I'm a Pathfinder. In this case its a evil spell but... its purpose is in the cause of good ends - and not unwarranted. You have only what resources your abilities allow you. Do not hold back on my account. Sometimes... results and intent are more important than source."
Shakhan's face suddenly grimaces, superstitiously he shakes his head. "No! I will not take the seed of evil. You can keep your dark magics to yourselves."
Ashe smiles, "I know what spell you are... not... speaking of Magus Varrel. I'm a Pathfinder. In this case its a evil spell but... its purpose is in the cause of good ends - and not unwarranted. You have only what resources your abilities allow you. Do not hold back on my account. Sometimes... results and intent are more important than source."
Let's just say I'd prefer it over harming a celestial for the reagent. The spell shaktan, is Called Infernal Healing. It requires a drop of blood from a lower planes creature to grant supernatural healing for a minute. If you don't want it, that's fine. I will try to hit tje thing with a cold spell.to slow it instead.
Varrel draws his scimitar, By the way Ashe, you have remarkable arcane knowledge of my spellist.;)
Ashe chuckles, "No I have no unnatural knowledge of your magics friend Varrel, I have merely adventured with a Magus are two as a Pathfinder. I'm familiar with the spell.. many Magus's get cautious, about casting such spells in the presence of a paladin. I judge people by their actions and results... not necessarily by the weapons or tools they use. A Spell is a spell, evil ones are best to avoid... but it is not indicative of a persons personal corruption. I know - for a fact you are not evil and your intent is purely to aid a fellow adventurer in stopping a evil necromancer's machinations. No threat of evil is present in anything you have done. So it is foolish to chastise you for using a spell that may help. My Sword has never shed innocent blood but the fact is it could. How we use what we have - that determines morality to me at least. Some... heh... many are less open-minded."
Shakhan shakes his head again, shuddering his shoulders as if to dislodge spirits. "No. Use the gifts of Asmodeus on yourselves if you must. In blood is power - I'll not let the blood of a devil in my veins."
Varrel stands ready. A cold spell on his lips.
Ready when you are Shaktan. I will aid as I am able, IF you need me. If you wish to fight it from reach ICan grease the floor to have it fall over.
Ashe holds position next to Master Hytogg.. his sword out but at parade rest.
He's pretty sure Shakhan can handle this fight.. but is holding in the wings to assist if something goes amiss.
Una readies herself too, cradling the crossbow and her remaining potion of gravity bow readied.
"Let's get this on. There's no need to hold back - we've worked together and that has ensured success."
Very well, Ashe would you open the door and I will ready the grease spell. Shaktan stand at the edge of it so you don't slip. I hope the creature falls and you can destroy it on the floor, but if it gets past we'll have a fight on our hands
........
Ready your crossbow Una, get a shot in before Shaktan blocks the door
Magical energies begin to build as Varrel gathers his power.
Ashe nods in acceptance. Sheathing , he steps over to the door still holding his shield at high guard for maximum defense he grasps the door handle with his sword hand ready to open the door on que.
Shakhan gets ready to heft his axe into golem face.
Una quickly imbibes her potion and stands ready, aiming her crossbow at the door over Shakhan's shoulder. She will fire on a golem if it is revealed.
Initiative:
Full Attack (1):
Full Attack (1) Damage: + if flat-footed.
Full Attack (2):
Full Attack (2) Damage: + if flat-footed.
It's down, have at it Shaktan, stay out of the grease
Varrel gags for but a moment and resists the horrible odour from the rotting bohemoth.