Seeing its pack-mate slain by the fierce, cawroaring eidolon, and feeling the pain of its own wounds, the remaining hell hound turns with tail between its legs and races off southward, yelping in fear!
YIIIIIPE!!! YIIIIIPE!!! YIIIIIIPE!!!
Derrik, horribly bloodied from the last few battles but not asking for help, attempts to stand to face these creatures. His wounds seal up slightly as he punches the ground with his left hand that glows and gives off a burst of positive energy that flows through him. His punch adjusts him over a bit as he rises to strike at the Moray threatening both him and MJ. He provokes from both of them, not knowing their reactive speed but counting on it as he attempts a counterstrike when they are fully extended, to lead them into Excalibur's blade, less fearsome than before due to his weakened state and need to draw ire.
" I ... Will not... FALL TO YOU! "
Sorry haven't posted in while. Kailin Plays up the now familiar tune on his flute filling the FO's with the courage to fight on.
(+2 Atk/Dmg)
Koran jumps to his feat and takes a step forward before making a powerful downward swing at one of the morays.
At the end of round one (after Kailin and Radsworth, before Yingzen starts round two):
Emboldened by the sudden arrival of obviously formidable rescuers, the captives take the opportunity to assist their saviors by attempting to grapple their captors!
The young man tries to grab the Moray's sword arm and pin it down, provoking an AoO from the Moray.... Grapple fails....
The elderly woman attempts to tackle the other Moray looming over Derrik, provoking an AoO as well.... Grapple fails....
AoO on the young man attempting to grapple.... Elven curve blade slashes the young man across the chest for 12 damage, drawing blood and a scream of pain, but not a fatal wound....
AoO on the elderly woman attempting to grapple.... Elven curve blade slashes the elderly woman across her shoulder, wounding her, but not fatally....
Derrik rises as the Morays flanking him are momentarily distracted by their former captives and draws Excalibur down across one's back, releasing a shower of blood! The Moray screams and turns its attention back to Derrik, but succumbs to its wounds, collapsing to the street!
Koran's swing smashes into a Moray's side, knocking the wind from its lungs, but it still stands....
Yingzen!
Derrik!
Kailin!
Koran!
Morays (3 left)!
MJ!
Kepler!
Levinson!
Radsworth!
Captives!
Eeeeek!! Eeeeeeeekkkk!!!!!
The Morays fight on with desperate fury....
Elven curve blade against Koran ....slashes the big wild rager for 7 damage....
Elven curve blade against Derrik ....crashes down on Derrik's shoulder pauldron without harming the inquisitor-paladin....
Elven curve blade against MJ ....is parried by the swordsman's blade....
MJ makes two mighty swings at the Moray engaging him....
Powerful hacking "BJ" plus vicious; backlash deals damage to MJ....lops the Moray's right arm off at the elbow! The Moray screams and falls to the street, writhing in pain and quickly losing consciousness....
Powerful backswinging "BJ" at the Moray facing Derrik plus vicious; backlash deals damage to MJ....misses....
Radsworth watches the fight, fairly sure more magical aid is not needed. He does observe however, that Derrik has been healing himself with some regularity in his last few encounters. He makes note to give one of his healing wands to Derrik when finished here.
Almost as an afterthought, he raises Traveler and fires.
Yingzen tumbles towards the nearest enemy
vs their cmd
Radsworth's bullet takes the badly wounded Moray facing Koran in the neck, finishing it off.... It gurgles and collapses, clutching its blood-spraying throat....
AoO against the tumbling Yingzen (their CMD is greater than 20)....
Elven curve blade misses....
Yingzen ends his tumble in a monkey stance, curve blade slicing deep into the Moray's stomach.... It doubles over and gasps in pain, but keeps its feet under it....
Only two Morays remain standing, both wounded. Seeing that they have lost the fight, both make complete withdraws, one from Yingzen, the other from Derrik and MJ, and flee southward, toward the causeway leading to Lido Key....
THAT'S RIGHT, COWARDS!!! RUN!!! WE'LL FIND YOUR SLIMY ASSES!!!.... We'll just follow the smell of rotten fish....
BRAVO!! BRAVO, I say! Bloody good show, that, good madam and sirs! Had I hands, they would be enthusiastically applauding you, good madam and sirs!
The British-sounding voice comes from a flying top hat, inverted to allow what appears to be a miniature marble elephant to ride inside of it....
I, Mahatma, second the opinions of Mister Chesterfield! A most glorious showing of heroics on your parts, good lady and gentlemans!
This East Indian-sounding voice, tinny and high-pitched, seems to come from the little marble elephant figurine riding in the flying top hat....
Um.... Are you guys seeing the flying, talking top hat and little marble talking elephant riding in it, too, or did Dr Hoffmann mix some LSD in my meds?
I can assure you, we are no hallucinations, my good sir! As Mister Mahatma, my pygmy pachyderm chum here, has stated, my name is Chesterfield, and I am very pleased to make your acquaintances!
The top hat seems to dip in an upside-down bow, accidentally dumping the marble elephant figurine onto the street!
Oopsy! Oh, my dear Mahatma, I do beg your pardon, mate! Are you quite alright? Didn't chip a tusk or anything, I hope, old chum?
AIIIEEE!!! Do try to be more careful, if you please, Mister Chesterfield! I am a marble elephant, not a bloody adamantine elephant!
The marble elephant bounces and tumbles, coming to rest at Levinson's feet.
Salutations, fair lady! I am Mahatma, companion and steed of heroes, and heroines! I am at your service, my lady! Let us vanquish the forces of evil together!
The top hat rights itself, and a monocle that seems magically bound to its brim rolls around to regard Radsworth, with a twinkle of what might be admiration!
And you must be the American chap whose masterful incantations I heard focused in the manner of the classic spellslinger wizards of the late 19th century! I have been biding my time up in that miserable temple of Cthulhu ever since those wretched cretins murdered my former associate a few days ago, and brought me there against my will, no doubt to be sacrificed along with their many poor captives come the Summer Solstice.... Biding my time until another worthy chap came along! And I see you even have splendid taste in hats! Would you care for a partner who is an expert in several areas of lore, arcane and mundane, and fluent in a dozen languages, not to mention various spells I can cast for your benefit?
Radsworth stares at the flying hat, not quite sure what to say. His mouth moves, but no words come out.
He takes another glance out the window, just to make sure there isn't a cultist somewhere magically gallivanting this hat about.
He removes his top hat, looks it over, and tosses it out the window.
"I would like nothing more, Chesterfield. I warn you, you are binding yourself to a novice, only exposed to the finer arts since Cthulu invaded this world. As such, my studies have been fairly limited. If you are a lover of divination or abjuration...or enchantment or illusion, I fear you will find my magics dull-drum at best! I can read and use those languages, but I stutter through them like a barbarian learning his first cantrip."
Radsworth peers out the window again, watching Arthur and Excalibur... then remembers Mjolnirs tremendous powers...
"But I don't mean to dissuade you, Chesterfield! I am not defenseless without spells, as Traveler here has seen heavy use. And I can change matter and explode enemies as well as any wizard could I suppose. I only wished to make sure you know my limits. Cooperation built on misinformation is quick to fail. I would be honored to have you as an ally."
Chesterfield you said right? Do you know the way back to where you were being held? I'm sure there are others there're others there who need our help.
Oh, indeed, sir!
Chesterfield sails over to land comfortably upon Radsworth's crown, suddenly opening hitherto unknown neuroarcane pathways in the novice wizard's brain! Vistas of knowledge open before his mind's eye, and an almost frightening depth of wisdom and esoteric understanding open in his soul.... Hitherto unknown intuitions into human nature, and the nature of reality itself unfold in Radsworth, silencing him, humbling him, momentarily overwhelming him....
There are others there that would be better put to use in skillful hands, sir, hands like yours! Chesterfield's monocle flashes at Kailin Kros....
Are you familiar with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's opera Die Zauberflote, sir? Known in English as The Magic Flute? Well, its not just a bit of musical fancy, I assure you, good sir! There sits upon the vile altar of Cthulhu on the top floor of this silvery edifice, The Magic Flute of which Herr Mozart wrote his wonderful opera! It has powers of enchantment unparalleled in the hands of a competent flautist, and you, sir, or more than that, I dare say! Splendid heroic tune you were piping just now, good sir! Jolly good!
And see, Mister Chesterfield! That noble Tengu wields an Elven curve blade, just like Gilathadar up on the vile altar! The very sword of the King of Fairyland, Oberon himself, stolen from His Fey Majesty by rascally gremlins in league with the Great Old Ones, and now awaiting a worthy hero to wield it and wrest sweet vengeance from their evil hides!
looks at the hat and elephant as they talk to the group
I say lets go ruin some of the old ones plans. I am rather hurt we were not invited to the party. By the way we shouldn't let those get to far.
points towards the fleeing moray
Koran, if you would be so kind.... I'll bet a one-hour deep tissue massage they don't make it 300 feet before Mjolnir turns them into fish paste....
Your on!
Koran runs forward and hurls his hammer at the fleeing morays.
He continues his barrage (taking range penalties as they come) until he can no longer see them or he takes them both down.
more attack rolls. 1/per round unless someone else is stepping in and helping.
Mjolnir fells one of the Morays at 60 ft, and the other at 120 ft....
Each PC gains 12,285 XP....
I do believe that levels everyone up to 8th....
Naomi stares wide eyed at the elephant picking it up cautiously by the trunk as if it were a cobra that might bite her, Oy Vie ist mir...
She casts a nervous, sidelong glance over to Kepler who merely replies by shrugging all four shoulders.
Um... hi. I'm Professor Naomi Levinson and that's Kepler. I was a teacher, and he is... well... a giant monster of doom from beyond our reality.
Ooh! Your Kepler is a fierce beast, indeed! Very impressive, my lady! If it please you, I shall show you how my dimensions can be magnified to the size of a true elephant!
Not awaiting a reply, Mahatma eagerly demonstrates his other form, growing almost instantly into a huge, marble-white elephant with long tusks,honed, gilded, and jeweled! The scent of Jasmine fills the air from the great elephant's anointed hide.
Mahatma the Great White Elephant inhales....
Oh, for the love of George, don't trumpet, now, mate!
Chesterfield seems to tense up on Radsworth's head as Mahatma inhales deeply....
The great elephant lets out its breath as a sigh....
Very well, party pooper!
Um... well then... she stammers while looking up the massive creature, Welcome aboard?
Kepler meanwhile seems to scoff at the display and flops on the ground telepathically conveying a series of Yiddish swears to Levinson.
I can't say I match the skill and abilities of Derrick or Koran though, and I am somewhat confused as to why I would be chosen as your companion. But no need to look a gift, um, elephant in the mouth I suppose...
Derrik Seems less concerned with the amazing creatures, both hat and elephant alike; instead walking heavyfooted over to the two former captives the spray from both his wounds and the Morays covering his form as he sheathes Excalibur with a fine grace. He tries to come of less fearsome than he is, even soft one might say, as both his arms begin to bask in a warm light and touch both of the captives restoring their vitality and healing their wounds.
" You are safe... I am Derrik.. Incarnation of the Fabled Arthur, wielder of Excalibur. You have shown great courage in assisting us and fighting evil no matter how weak, young or old your current forms are. I come to tell you Hope is not lost. You have assisted that which will destroy the Evil in this tower at soon the Evil that plagues this world. Do not be afraid of my Visage, only such Evil will need to do so. Now.. Let me reward you for your deeds. "
The healing courses through them as he does so his Helmet turns to the Group and nods in approval somewhat.
" WE ARE THE FIERCE ONES! LET EVIL COWER BEFORE OUR MIGHT! "
I award a small amount of XP (about half what you'd get for killing them) for every innocent rescued.... Adds up when you have taken responsibility for like 90 people....
The captives weep tears of joy at Derrik's words, and kiss his gauntleted hands. The elderly lady says a blessing over The Fierce Ones, and the young man shakes each FO's hand and thanks them for saving his life.
The young man rescued from the cult is named Todd Smith. He offers to lead the rescued captives the FOs have freed from The ST so far to a fortified camp of survivors he is friendly with in downtown Sarasota, so the FOs can get on with the business of adventuring, instead of protecting refugees.
Now, just tell me that the talking elephant can fly, too, and I'll have seen everything....
MJ wears a bemused grin as he takes in the sight of Mahatma in his full-sized form....
Well, yes, actually.... I can fly! Would you like to see? And I can easily carry two or three of you along, if need be!
Mahtma's trunk sways back and forth with pride....
Are you freakin' kidding me!? This is so dank! The Great Old Ones will never see this coming....
MJ chuckles and pats Mahatma's trunk....
Who can stand against us when we have flying, talking elephants and top hats on our side?
Daisy appears at the front doors, steps outside to get a better look at Mahatma and the talking top hat atop Radsworth's head, and smiles in wonder at the great white elephant standing in the street....
Oh my God.... He's so beautiful!
Mahatma's snow-white hide almost seems to blush for a second at Daisy's sincere compliment....
Oh, no, my lady.... You are far the more beautiful creature than I....
Mahatma bends his front knees in a gallant and surprisingly graceful bow....
Daisy notices Derrik's blood-streaked armor and produces her own wand of cure moderate wounds from her backpack.
You are hurt, Derrik....
She gently taps him with the wand, restoring hp....
Let me know when you feel better, hon....
She taps him a second time, restoring another hp....
....and again for more....
The elderly lady the FOs just rescued shakes her head in disbelief, and then shrugs, remarking, "Well, at least some of the craziness that's happening in the world today is good craziness...."
Todd, the young man they rescued along with her, nods in agreement, smiling. "Yup! Some of the "monsters" are on our side!"
MJ turns to Daisy, gesturing to Todd Smith....
Daisy, meet Todd, Todd, meet Daisy. There's a possibility that Todd might have a place we can bring all the rescued peeps to.... Not far from here, right, Todd?
Correct, sir. It's the old Royal Palms movie theater on Main Street, about 20 minutes walk from here.... My father is one of the leaders there.... We have lots of guns and ammo, and a pretty big stockpile of food there, too.... I'm sure we could find room and something to eat and drink for however many people you've got....
meeko
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Sersi
Azimuth World-Traveler
