An imminent retreat is called and the group starts fleeing down towards the west.
Alþórel continues to attempt to placate the bats.
Alþórel is beginning to the the light and the appearance of such through the illusion he cast earlier might be what is annoying them so much. Since they were hiding on the border when they first entered the room.
If they get close enough, Dreyyn could "sand" a cone of them. Otherwise he will slash at any tormentors before moving away (since one of his moves is a double move for the others).
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With a grunt "uncle Al" forces his mind back through millenia. Studying with a woman who would decide, when the Starstone came, to retreat underground rather than offworld. She had a spell he'd learned from her.
Dark strands wrap around the illusory wall, lending it a sort of permanence. "Spiders eat bats!" he calls as a warning to the ones behind him.
"We have a little while" he calls forward in the tongue of Man "Move on."
The bat that they can see quickly shies away from the wall that is now covered in spider web. Though the large spider has been killed by the group the bats are unaware of this and don't want to become its next meal. The group can hear them perch back onto the roof.
The group continues up towards the pinnacle of the spire. Lightning cracks from the churning, corpse-gray sky above as the Bone Stair finally terminates at the vertiginous heights of Gallowspire’s roof beneath a massive crown of blades that cast dark shadows across the roof of Gallowspire. A wide, round portal of shining silver metal caps the roof, inscribed with arcane symbols and powerful magic wards.
At the top where the roof meets a colourful kaleidoscope they can see someone trapped in the prison of colour. They do not hear any screaming though from the convulsions of the body within the colour they can tell it is in pain. A lot of the residual colour magic is coalescing here and being sent somewhere. The group can tell the magic is being 'beamed' away. Considering the group came here along the siphon this might be something that is sending the power to Tar Baphon.
In the centre of the spire's pinnacle there sits a female elf clad in the garb of the whispering way. Her hair fiery red as licks of flame doesn't seem to consume the follicles of her hair. She wears a headband, not unlike the one Alþórel is currently wearing. She sits cross legged levitating on a fountain of flame that is keeping her aloft. The wards above the group start to glow though nothing has happened as of yet. The elf summons a staff to grab hold of as flow of fire dissipates beneath. She stands defiantly at the group. Smiling at each of the in turn before cocking her head at Alþórel. "I see some things never change, friendships to lesser species do not befit us. Yet here you stand." She taps the staff on the stone. "Unless you have changed your mind? I see the fires of creation fuel your magic even now." She does not seem phased by their arrival and is talking to them as if they posed no real threat. She could be really aloof or unphased by her predicament the group can not tell quite which it is.
"Eþnui" breathes Alþórel. "My old mentor. The Death Of Men."
"Eþnui!" he calls again, louder, and in the singsong chant of the Old High Elven "Wait! Witness! In your time herein trapped, they have found civilisation! Democracy! Art! Music! Even in spellcraft they start to approach the Alþar! The People have returned! Now, in peace live elf and man!" he holds a hand out "Please, Eþnui, stay your hand and open your eyes!"
"We have also advanced our pointy sticks a bit ..." Elise muttered under her breath. Gleefully to herself she thought which you no doubt will notice soon enough. She wasn't yet sure on the exact mixture of danger and arrogance exhibited by their foe, but all that would be clear in due time. Also - the person in the tube. Weighting her poleaxe she carefully and slowly started to circle to the side. She had no doubt she would eventually find a way to annoy the elf (unless indeed Al found whatever good inside her). Unlikely, but he is a strange man. Anyhow if - when - the elf grew tired of talking she suspected fireballs...
Eþnui shrugs "Get enough monkeys in a room and they will eventually write the full works of Edasseril. It does not make them refined in any way. They are still a blight on this planet, whose bodies can still be put to use by other means."
She elevates her staff and a small image within a portal appears as the undead appear scouring this land. "Yes rotting undead are 'okay' as you put it dear Parasite. They are a means to an end, one that will not be needed once the rest of you are gone. Think of them as the cleansing spell to rid your body of toxins. They are even ingeniously made to use the fallen humans as weapons. Can you not see the beauty in such a magic? I doubt it. Desna leads you astray with dreams that you can not grasp, fantasies that are never within your reach. What a fickle being." Eþnui waves the staff away making the image shimmer into nothing.
"I have watched you all since you entered this realm. I was more concerned with a certain lost god than your escapades though. I am sad that the Lantern's servants could not burn you to cinders. No matter, Alþórel, I ask again old friend. Come, will you not help me bring the elven people back to what is rightfully theirs? I have been building a better place for us in the first world. The template is of greater design that the botched mistake that was the material plane. We need not worry about the Azlant this time."
As soon as Uncle Al begins talking to Eþnui at the top, Nethan places the tip of his two-handed sword on the ground with one hand and gets out the compass to see if Eþnui comes back as a bloodstone regardless of what she was to Uncle Al years ago.
Dreyyn remains silent, the only conversation he will have now is likely in blood.
"Friend?" Alþórel says. "There was a time I would have - no a time I did kill, in the hopes of hearing you say that. I thought you were the best of us Eþnui. The smartest. The most skilled. The bravest. It was my dream to one day be your equal - and I see now, as your create realities like a god, and plan to wipe out whole races - that this dream was a fantasy."
He sighs "But I have the Light, Eþnui. Where is yours?"
"I thought maybe appealing to something you wanted would change your mind. I guess I was wrong. Why would you sqander a better life even now? Has nothing changed since the last time? Do you really see any Light within these creatures?" She makes a sweeping motion towards the humans in the group.
As she does the wards trigger and the pinnacle closes up to be a sealed room. The person in the roof can still be seen as they struggle in a small bubble of colour.
Nethan sees that the bloodstone points toward the person in the ceiling.
"Why Alþórel? What do you have to gain from these .. beings?"
[broken elvish]"'Death of Man' indeed; did she nag them to oblivion? Making use of that long life indeed. I can see why Tar-Baphon put her in a desolate tower..."[/broken elvish] Elise laughs at the elven woman and shuffles a bit further from her companions.
Nethan hurries to place the Bloodstone Compass back in his pack for safe keeping, then looks up trying to be intimidating and speaks in Elven,
Nethan casts a shield since his voice crackled and probably making things worse. He shakes his head and whispers, "Well, that didn't come out the way I wanted and may have made things worse. Sorry."
"Yes. Yes, Eþnui. They have the Light. The Brightness is dim within them, but hero by hero it grows. Despite the fact they have flickering lives of less than a century, some of them find the Path. You, given thousands of years, and a head start, have not. You have let the Dark in your soul consume you. It covers your eyes now to the point where you cannot even see how far you have fallen."
"Give me a year, Eþnui. A year with open mind. A moment of your life, a life longer than civilisation. Come with me to Golarion. Let me show you what I have seen. You will see that your genocidal war is not the way."
"Or - or die. If you have the Brightness still, then you will find me again. But I think that you do not. I think that you have lost the path. I think that you are trapped in darkness. I think that for all your knowledge, and your beauty, and your power, you have become dhrow."
Impressed by Uncle Al's wisdom, Nethan nods at his rebuttal to Eþnui, "Yes ... yes ... well said. Years of wisdom quite privalent."
"Always so sure of yourself. Well then, show me, though I will not be giving you a year. Not yet." Eþnui brings her hands into the air and then slams then all the way to the ground. Her staff staying upright in the air next to her.
As she does a small portal bordered with a fiery ring opens up below the feet of each human and they fall through without nary a moment to react to what just happened. The sisters stay at the edge of the room seemingly not targetted by Eþnui's portal. Eþnui gives them a look like they are some piece of jewelry or object before returning her attention to Alþórel.
"From here we will see the company you keep. These 'companions' of yours are champions of your land, mythical beings that should be the best of what these creatures have to offer." Eþnui grabs ahold of her staff and taps it once on the ground and a pedestal wreathed in woven red silk and woven gold trim erects itself in the middle of the room with an orb resting atop it. Eþnui bids Alþórel forward and he sees his companions trapped in a small sub plane. Walled up in a burning building separated from each other divided by different creatures.
"One is cut down and two more rise like flies, together humans have always been a force to be reckoned with and at the same time rife for breeding idiocy. Alone they are no more than timid children in the dark. What say you of your companions independence of their abilities. I dare say they will lack elven ingenuity and resourcefulness when left solitary."
The rest of the group find themselves in this burning building, each in a different corner. Some see large demons with claws rearing for a fight. Others see armour clad soldiers with pristine, enchanted looking weapons. A few of them recognize the armour hailing for ancient elven battalions, however only from history books or museums.
With time not on their side, so begins a fight apart from their allies. Amelia and Dreyyn are the quickest to react and attempt to make the best of their situation.
Amelia: 68/68 hp, 19 AC
Dreyyn: 60/60 hp, 21 AC
Elise: 94/94 hp, 18 AC
Nethan: 60/60 hp, 20 AC
Alþorel looks at Eþnui with surprise as she steps away from violence.
"You talk of what they were, my old teacher. You and I may remember them before the Starstone, but that was more than three hundred generations ago for them. Think how far we evolved in the seventy five millenia before they started to challenge us. We too were once savage primitives, bereft of art, magic or Light."
Due to the split, Nethan focuses his mythical power to form the most powerful Inertial Barrier he can and then remembering the conversation he had with Uncle Al, he Quick Draws his two handed crystal sword to deal merciful damage to the the Elves if he has to fight them. Not ready to go running into the fray, Nethan holds his position until he is ready.
Dreyyn will 5ft step and ready an action to Cone of Sand the big guy and two little guys when the two little guys move (so they arent using their shields to block). I'll spend the spell point to maximize the rounds and that gives me a temp spell point to use during this fight.
Round 1
Dreyyn takes a step to the side and readies his colour spell.
Amelia vanishes from sight and moves around the fire. It is very hot though she does not burn herself from it. She might be a little close for comfort though.
One demon then steps after Amelia teleporting through the wall. Sniffing about before spotting her. A moment later it teleports away again. A demon that looks very similar pops up next to Amelia and attacks her.
One near Dreyyn teleports behind him and also attacks him.
Amelia gets bitten whereas Dreyyn avoids the clumsy beast.
Alþórel: 41/41 hp, 17 AC
Amelia: 68/68 hp, 19 AC (8 damage to be possibly moved?)
Dreyyn: 60/60 hp, 21 AC
Elise: 94/94 hp, 18 AC
Nethan: 60/60 hp, 20 AC
Nethan draws his sword ready for a fight then sees the demon near him vanish some place.
Elise sees a demon vanish then reappear near her just behind a wall.
Elise raises her poleaxe, roars in fury and ... Not much.
Round 1
Elise exclaims in rage before getting her poleaxe stuck against the wall for a brief moment.
The elves move up in formation towards Dreyyn and Nethan. As they begin to move Dreyyn lets out a blast their way.
The leftmost one does not manage to bring his shield up in time before the sand begins to burrow into his armour.
Each one attacks with a spear at their targets.
Each of the attacked gets stuck once with a spear.
The spears appear relatively mudane but they appear to be drawing energy from the elves in some manner making them appear magical to those trained in magic.
Amelia: 68/68 hp, 19 AC
Dreyyn: 48/60 hp, 21 AC
Elise: 94/94 hp, 18 AC
Nethan: 51/60 hp, 20 AC (buffed to 28 AC)
End or round 1, back to the top with Amelia and Dreyyn
Eþnui rolls her eyes and stretches her neck out a bit looking at Alþórel. "Great start there, one is an angry woman that can't hit something bigger than her. Another attempts to go unseen against creatures that can sense with more than their eyes, then the other two got themselves immediately surrounded." Eþnui waits expectantly.
Nethan gets shanked by the spear and grimaces with anger ...
ROUND 2 - During Nethan's Initiative
Using a swift action, he activates his Fleet Charge, and attacks the elf closest to him taking up his current the position on the opposite wall.
He then draws in to stab the same elf in the gut region.
"ISEE!"
Eþnui rolls her eyes and stretches her neck out a bit looking at Alþórel. "Great start there, one is an angry woman that can't hit something bigger than her. Another attempts to go unseen against creatures that can sense with more than their eyes, then the other two got themselves immediately surrounded." Eþnui waits expectantly.
"Absolutely terrible, I'd say." Al argues, shrugging "They have no idea what they fight. Hardly surprising, when you consider their short lifespan - our strategy of centuries of study simply isn't possible for them without life extension. Typically in groups they specialise in areas and then share information. By splitting them up you've deprived them of that ability. But that's really irrelevant."
Alþorel gestures "Look, Eþnui. Separated, in a situation almost certainly designed to cause panic none of them attacked first. I remember your speeches. How coexistence was impossible because humans were rules by their savagery. None of them attacked first. Frankly I thought your test would have friends and foes, to show me that the humans would fight without giving a chance to speak. Had you set that test, they would have passed."
Round 2
Amelia scores 3 easy hits on the Daemon that came to meet here but the damage is blunted by its thick hide. Due to her techniques though little can stop her knife now.
Dreyyn leaps around his foes with a floating like grace and stabs one of the elves with great precision. He stumbles a bit before collapsing to the ground. He does not look dead yet but he likely is not getting up anytime soon.
The demon near Elise reaches past the wall and attacks her as well before taking a small step back.
The demon near Amelia casts a spell on her.
Immediately Amelia begins to feel lethargic.
Demon chasing down Dreyyn does the same. Trying to trap their foes.
Dreyyn also is slowed by the creature's spell.
Nethan meanwhile fends off his attackers who are attempting to box him in. With one swift strike, he manages to send one reeling but the follow-up strike is batted away by the elf's shield.
With a cry of rage that shakes the small world Elise shifts into the approximate shape of a grounded dragon and tears into the deamon next to her with claws and fang.
Round 2 cont.
Dreyyn with mythic will breaks past the chains that bind him and is not slowed by the creature's power.
Elise can be heard further down the corridor as she leans into the big creature. Her first enraged strike comes down on it but the other two whiff the air with furious abandon.
The elf near Dreyyn bashes his spear to the inside of his shield and Dreyyn notices something cast on his friend on the group. He begins to move again, then the elf steps forward and attempts a flurry of thrusts.
The determined elf manages to just about hit Dreyyn twice.
The two elves that have cornered Nethan one despite badly wounded attempt to lay into him.
Through the huge flurry of thrusts only one manages to get past Nethan.
Alþórel: 41/41 hp, 17 AC
Amelia: 68/68 hp, 19 AC
Dreyyn: 23/60 hp, 21 AC (buffed to 26)
Elise: 82/112 hp, 18 AC
Nethan: 38/60 hp, 20 AC (buffed to 28)
Eþnui pauses and gives her old compatriot's argument a little thought. While doing so she sees Dreyyn's acrobatics and Nethan's magical fortitude as they are each cornered and seem to be fairing well for the odds surmounted on them. "You may be right that test would be one to try them out on. Though I do not like the cowardly yet intelligent way the rogue attempted to escape demons or the uncouth raging of that barbrian... The other two intrigue me. Both together could make an accomplished elf, one lacks the finesse and the other the magic potency." She pauses once more.
"So you say they can tell friend from foe, what would you consider to be a foe that they hate most?"
Round 2 over
ROUND 3
Nethan grimaces again and retailates with another combination of strikes but first reaches down into his mythic power once again before striking the same elf he did before with another stab ...
And stabs at the same elf again ...
"You miss the point." Al said, with some exasperation. "They cannot tell friend from foe, and so take a risk to avoid killing the wrong person. That test is passed." he hesitates, thinking "If you wish to test that, now, then have one of their enemies surrender. Throw down their weapons and beg for mercy. The Humans you remember didn't understand the concept." he smiles "Though you might need to be quick about it if you want anyone to surrender with."
"As for the 'uncouth barbarian' Elise - the rage you see is that of a dragon."
"The 'cowardly' Amelia that you talk of is displaying tactical knowledge rare in one of her age. When your pawn removed her ability to do so, she changed tack. You would praise it in an elven recruit twice her age."
"Nethan and Dreyyn normally fight together. There their agility and magical ability fight hand in hand. Still - Dreyyn may have only decades left of his life, but that is time enough for a human to turn his hand to magic if he must. Nethan's agility serves him well enough for now - understand he fights another opponent you do not see; his heritage is one of destruction, and he fights now to leave his opponents defeated but alive."
Round 3
Amelia gives it her all felling the creature with a pair of well placed stars as she rounds the corner.
Dreyyn attempts to get away after the spell assailing him, he manages to while only managing to distract the Elves near him.
The remaining demons square off against those near them. The one near Dreyyn runs around the elves and breaths fire from its maw attempting to scorch the retreating Dreyyn.
Though Dreyyn leaps over the flames with little but superficial damage to his clothes.
The other demon continues the brutish attacks against the enlarged Elise.
Though it is flailing against the wall as much as Elise is.
Nethan's first stab makes the Elf tumble to the ground injured though due to the non-lethal abilities of the weapon, the elf is only unconcious. The second strike manages only to connect with armour.
Elise roars in frustration as her mighty struggle with the demon just seems to turn in a slapfest. Which, by the gods, she intended to win!
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Round 3
Elise continues with a barrage of attacks felling the creature in front of her. The group seems ready to turn the tables when the area suddenly becomes black and all they see are each other.
Suddenly in front of each person there is something or someone grovelling on the ground.
An Irrisen warrior lays at the feet of Elise "Please spare me, I only killed for my kin. A fellow warrior must know what that's like!"
An orc archer with his feet turned to ash lies broken at Nethan's feet. An older woman lies in the distance with an arrow through her heart, the corpse makes Nethan's heart jump to his throat. "Mercy mage, I am nothing without me legs.. mercy."
A Lion commander lies at Dreyyn's feet, his blade sundered to pieces. "The battle is one, I can not best you. We can leave these lands if you spare me.."
Amelia finds at her feet a Nidal slaver, the head of her caravan leader lying nearby. Desna's blades have rooted the slaver to the ground, rendering him unable to flee. "I was just following orders, I would end up with the others if I disobeyed.. mercy, please!"
Eþnui seems to be slowly turning to Alþórel's thinking, she doesn't say the next line with any malice but more curiousity. "Let us see if they can give mercy to those that have wronged or hated them. Even when they are at a point of dominance."
Dreyyn speaks to the fallen man.
"Before I began along this path, I thought the clan was the most important thing. Now, worlds away, it seems like only a grain of sand in an endless desert. Arise and escape this hell, if you are even real. you may follow me, but I have no weapon for you. Your own hands must do."
ROUND 4
Nethan raises his eyebrow, "Well Orc, once upon a time, I would kill you for shooting that woman and grant you the mercy you deserved." Using his sword, Nethan disarms the Orc by first trying to remove the bow from the orc or cutting the string if he resists. "Ok Orc, I will ask you the question my father would ask you? What mercy do desire? Life or Destruction? If you chose life, you will be healed but that is all because I am not a priest. As for Destruction, I don't have to explain that to you. Lastly, what mercy do you deserve? Did you or did you not shoot that woman? If so, what did she do to you?"