Ian's anger pays off as he splits the thing at the waist, the top half crashing to the ground.
Cindy stands close to the captive vampire. These manacles magically confine her. she explains. And whatever else is true she very much wants revenge on and is afraid of this Nasun. I trust her that far and recommend we release her.
Serelina looks at Cindy with irritation. "And after it has its revenge, what then? It will begin eating tea and crumpets and open up a toy house for orphans? No, it will prey upon the city we are responsible for protecting. While necromancy isn't strictly forbidden, this creature is a predator and the citizens of our city is its prey. I see no reason this creature is needed to deal with another of its ilk, it is our duty to dispose of both of them."
Rilumin, having no strong opinion on matters of morality, remains silent on the issue.
The vampire gives a hiss at Serelina, "I would not betray my people as you suppose. I was once a mage of the tower and would hold to my oaths."
Ian shrugs to Serelina. "Any way we can safely transport her to the Tower? Maybe the masters would want a word with her...but uh..say the word and I'll take her head off."
The words of this creature seems true. Even if I have no love for undead, its state seems to make it our ally.
Since this morning we fight without knowing what's going on and for once I would like to know why and what.
I am for letting it go If it accept to help us find the reason behind all this.
Issa turns to the creature of unlife.
Will you ?
"I swear I will aid your cause." the vampire states plainly.
The undead is telling the truth.
Issa turns to his comrades.
I think she's truely willing to help us.
Morvae steps up next to the vampire, and in a conciliatory tone speaks, "Apologies for continuing this discussion in your present state, but you must understand our worries. It is well and good that you would aid our quest, and perhaps rather understandable given your tormentor's treatment of you. Before your release could be plausibly considered though, we would hear about your plans to sustain yourself in the lands of the living. My understanding is that vampires require blood to live. Have you given thought to how to provide for your...needs, while not becoming a hazard to polite society?"
Sona replies with some frustration showing in her voice, "I did not choose this condition, Nasun inflicted it upon me. I would seek a cure, if there is any. If not I shall leave civilized lands and hunt beasts in the forest."
She is unsure of herself here. Her intentions are right, but she is unsure if she could resist the lure to humanoid blood over that of animals.
Morvae continues, "In addition to assisting us in our quest, you would be required to come to the Tower with us and more fully discuss your new lease on, shall we say 'life', in this world. It may be that further work in the name of the cause of Good could be arranged."
"I shall gladly do so. If there is any cure to be found, it is likely within the means of the tower to enact it."
Serelina shakes her head and shrugs, gesturing impatiently for the rest to get on with things since the are foolish enough to ignore her.
Ian still waits for Serelina's order, ready to interrupt the polite conversation with a beheading.
Cindy steps closer to Sona and perhaps in Ian's way.
Then it is settled. We do not have to murder a victim. Cormick, can you remove these manacles?
Cormick hesitates for a moment, looking between Issa and Cindy. "Very well Sona. We will trust you for the time being." Cormick pulls a set of lock picks from his vest and begin to work. As he does Master Hast draws forth a wand again, one he has held off and on several times now during the search of the catacombs, but not yet used.
It takes him several tries with some of the locks, but after about 45 seconds all four manacles have been released.
Sona sits up slowly, her eyes closed for a moment. "Thank you" she breathes out softly.
She stands slowly and carefully walks towards the closed door. "May I cast some protective magics?" she asks, "A shield spell."
"Give me a moment." she stares blankly at the door, her arms outstretched, for 10 seconds or so, before lowering her arms again. "It is time for my revenge."
About this same time, you hear the faint sound of squeaking coming from the other side of the door. Were the door open, your sure it would be a cacophony of noise.
"I will also cast some preparatory spells..."
I too have some preparations. Cindy uses her want to cast Mage Armor on Sona beforeactivatine her Scarshield (+3 Natural Armor) and flight hexes and casts invisibility on herself.
Something, or many things are on the other side of that door. I clearly hear squeaking Be ready for a rat swarm or worse. Maybe a vampire bat swarm?
"Ugh, I f$+%in hate swarms."
As the casters finish casting spells in preparation the stone door to the east groans, and as soon as it is only a few inches off the ground a swarm of rats comes pouring under the door.
Init: +4
Full Attack: +18 3d6+18, +11 3d6+22 PA, +18 3d6+19
Single Attack: +18 6d6+22 PA
AC -1
+30' move, 3d6 Greatsword, +1 Str Dmg, Bonus Attack on Full Attack
(MATH)
Heroism: +2 to atk rolls, saves, and skill checks.
Haste: +1 to atk rolls, AC, and Ref saves. Bonus attack on Full Attacks. +30' of movement.
Enlarge: +2 Str (+1 atk, +1 dmg), -2 Dex (-1 AC, -1 Ref save, -1 init), -1 to Atk and -1 AC. Greatsword 2d6>3d6
Overhand Chop On single-attacks with a two-handed weapon, add x2 Str bonus on damage.
Backswing On full-attacks with a two-handed weapon, add x2 Str bonus on damage for all attacks after the first.
Ian starts swinging left and right, at rat level, like a farmer harvesting wheat.
Hezrog chuckles at Ian before joining in on the rat-smashing.
Best he can do is move and make a single attack
Glad that these rodents do not fly, Cindy lifts off the floor and pulls an alchemist fire from her belt.
Cormick reaches into his pouch to produce a flask of Alchemist Fire, which he quickly tosses at the back area of the swarm as he lunges forward.
Rilumin takes a single step back and starts unloading arrows at the swarm, aiming for the thickest concentrations of rats.
Shot 1 (two arrows)
Shot 2
Shot 3
Issa waits do see if his comrade are able to get rid of the swarm of creatures while looking for their new 'best friend'.
Amid the onslaught of attacks the swarm of rats is dispersed, only a few individual rats escaping alive. They are quickly replaced by two additional swarms though pouring under the door, biting and clawing at the legs of Morvae and Hezrog.
From under the doorway can be seen skeletal legs and feet, standing where the pull chain would be to open the door, and behind it three more skeletal legs and feet lining the side of the hallway.
Sona steps forward and to the side, loosing an evocation, her hands splayed, a wave of flame erupting on the rats.
From beyond the door is the sound of spell casting, then the squeaking of the rats goes eerily silent.
A silence spell has been cast.
A spell was cast rendering the area around Ian, Hezrog and Morvae silent, they cannot hear nor speak while in the realm of silence.
Serelina then casts a spell of her own, sending an arc of burning fire into the owner of the skeletal feet then into the owners of the bone legs away from the door.
Ian says I'm too f#%@in' old for this... but no one can hear him. He goes back to harvesting rat-guts on his sword, disgruntled.
Cindy flies forward to N190 and throws her alchemist's Fire to strike the second swarm and splash the first.
Cormick maneuvers through the middle of the room for a better shot to throw from. He pulls a tanglefoot bag when he gets close to position.
Second round Alchemist Fire
------------------------------------------------------
Current Effects: heroism (Ian), 15 min;
Rilumin takes another step back, shooting at what he can see of the fore-most enemy. The partially opened door doesn't affect him in the least, he could shoot through a keyhole if needed.
Shot 1 (two arrows)
Shot 2
Shot 3
Morvae claws at the rats attacking him.
Flames leap from Serelina's fingertips, striking the skeletal creatures in the passage.
Rilumin begins firing arrows under the partially open door, targeting the closest skeleton, and... only hits with the first attack.
For now, Issa can't do much. He wait for the right opportunity to use his last power against undead.
Glad that the swarms are destroyed Cindy will pocket the alchemical and move as specified.
Ian moves to the doorway, ready to attack the skeletons behind it as soon as it is open enough to get a clear shot.
The door continues to rise into the ceiling, and in only a few seconds the hallway beyond is fully exposed. As it does hundreds of bats flutter into the room, eerily silent.
Beyond the door the four skeletons, eyes glowing blue, move into action. The lead skeleton is dressed in an ornate breastplate, and completes equipping a heavy shield as it 5' steps into the doorway, swinging a heavy pick at Ian, narrowly missing him.
The next in line is dressed in an armored coat, wielding a glaive-guisarme, and from the back jabs at Hezrog with the speak like point.
Third is an archer in a chain shirt, and composite longbow. It lets loose a multitude of arrows at Ian. The first pierces his armor, embedding itself deep in the warriors chest.
The last is also dressed in a chain shirt, but carries no weapons. It does hold a small rod in its skeletal grip though. Small tendrils of oily blackness flow between it and the other three skeletons, and for a brief moment they pulse, growing thicker. As it happens the first three seem to grow stronger, while the fourth grows weaker. It takes a step backwards, and hands held high in the air waves of darkness emanate from it, flowing over all four skeletons. Chipped and broken bones mending.
These are skeletal champions. They benefit from the same advantages that skeletons do, resistant to all but blunt weapons and mind effect magics. But unlike their mindless kin, skeletal champions retain many of the skills and abilities they had in life.
Hanging from the wall, almost casually is what appears to be a withered husk, outline in blue from your see invisibility spell, its head swivels from side to side taking in the fight going on in the room. The skin sagging beneath its eyes, the skin of the nose drooping, the nosferatu.
Rilumin hones his arrows in on the enemy archer.
Shot 1 (two arrows)
Shot 2
Shot 3
These creature are skeletal champion ! Uses blunt weapon to bybass their natural resistance to damage !
Issa move closer and casts Fireshield on himself.
May the everburning sun of Horus protect his servitor
Seeing the arrows lodged into Ian's chest, Hezrog moves ahead into the middle of the archers (L-194) Looks like a great square and tries to get their attention with a shield bash.
(into the flank, with a studied target and power attack)
Ian grunts in pain, almost falling to a knee from the arrow in his chest. He snaps the arrow and yells in fury at the skeleton as he cleaves diagonally with a massive overhead chop.
Serelina casts a spell, summoning motes of light to surround an area up on the wall. "There on the wall, the Nosforatu! Vampire, get your revenge! Rilumin focus fire!"
Cast glitterdust on the creature and move back from the melee.
Yes. Hezrog not scared of puny melee weapons. He wants to draw the attacks since his ally is wounded.
Yes as in moving past them to get to the archers.
Ian's anger and pain filled counter attack on the skeleton shatters the lead skeleton, splinters of bone flying back into the hallway.
As Hezrog charges past the lead skeleton it lashes out at him with its glaive.
He then smashes his shield in to the archer, bones crunching with the blow.
Rilumin has much better luck with the less armored archer, striking with three arrows, breaking off and chipping bones.
Sona moves south and unleashes another spell. A great howling gust of wind issues forth from her hands, slamming into the swarms of bats and forcing them northward.
Leo rushes forward, touching Ian with a protective spell.
Nina skirts the room to the south side while Morvae and Master Hast wait.
The nosferatu is outlined in glittering particles, hanging from the wall farther back in the corridor.
A second later it becomes fully visible, a withered and ancient looking humanoid. Its gaze is focused on Hezrog. "Kill them my faithful servant" it rasps out. Hezrog feels a force pressing on his mind, seeking to take control of his will.
The creature then casually flicks a hand towards Sona, "You are always mine to command slave." The sorceress puts her hands to her head, clenching her eyes tight. "Get... out... of my head." She opens her eyes again, glaring with hate at the nosferatu.
Nasun then climbs farther up the wall and onto the ceiling.
Ian duck under the doorway, over the shattered bones of the skeleton he killed. "You!" He shouts above the fray, pointing his greatsword with one hand out at Nasun, then heads straight for him (taking as few AoO as possible).
If he can get right to him, he'll take a swing. Which probably won't be hard since he's ~14' tall.