Arianwyn smiles oddly and murmurs, "Let the denouement commence.." as he opens the door before him.
The door swings open to reveal a study. Massive bookcases flank the entrance, stuffed with an enormous variety of books, papers and scrolls. The furnishings here are of another standard entirely. This is a room belonging to someone with taste, money and a fearless ability to use both to their own ends. Each piece seems to have been chosen not merely for its intrinsic value, but as a complement to the owners personality. At the far end of the room stands a heavy desk, the top scattered with yet more papers. Arianwyn has never seen finer elven craftsmanship.
Chests of a more utilitarian nature are placed casually within the room, with none of the attention given to the careful placement of the clearly personal items. An exquisite tapestry hangs over a doorway to the south, depicting Gruumsh in the act of devouring a screaming eladrin warrior. Further up the room is a an additional doorway, this one unadorned, but locked.
Drawn by the lure of more books, Reason trots into the new room to see what he can see.
The left hand (north wall) bookcase is devoted to history. Whoever assembled these volumes knew what they were looking for and clearly had enough influence and money to acquire it.
A ten volume first edition of Pirot Samagal's Speculations on the fall of Bael Turath immediately catches the cleric's eye. Mursod's Thoughts on Empire, Grunblum's Fallacies and the all but unobtainable Volden Jasseck masterwork Studies in the Rise to Power are other treasures. On the lower shelves are other, no doubt equally valuable works which the tiefling does not recognise.
On the other wall, the theme is arcana. There is enough here to keep Reason extremely happy for a very long time.
Reason
Even through your amazed state however, you are aware of a faint clicking from beyond the astounding, but extremely disturbing tapestry.
"Let's keep moving and deal with her. She's probably through that door." Whiteclaw indicates the decorated door. "We might be able to flank her through the other hall."
Reason turns and points at the tapestry.
Gobi mills around the room and looks for anything that would interest him. He looks at the tapestry, "tough luck."
Gobi mills around the room and looks for anything that would interest him. He looks at the tapestry, "tough luck."
Apart from the books which are probably priceless, Gobi is aware that any object in this room is of impeccable pedigree. It is almost as it you have found a small dragon's horde.
Arianwyn raises an eyebrow at the tapestry, "Such an intriguing dichotomy..." he mutters.
With an elegant hand, he pulls aside the tapestry.
A charmingly domestic scene greets you. Seated at a chess board, methodically moving the pieces for both sides is Kyleth. Arianwyn recognises her at once from his dream vision.
"Do tell me. Should I have moved the bishop?"
Arianwyn
Her glorious face turns towards you and blurs into another face, just as lovely and by far more familiar.
b10
Rev
I'm not sure, but I think that no one gets the Kia bonus if we are as shown on the map. Don't we have to be able to see her? Mind you, she has not indicated her position yet...
Rev
** spoiler omitted **
Reason
"Perhaps I should have moved the queen..."
Picking up the black queen, Kyleth turns towards Arianwyn, as the piece elongates and changes to become an intricately worked dagger. Spinning with the swiftness of a cat, she points at him. Infernal fire blisters from the tip and heads towards the warlock's head.
"Now we shall trade fairly, shall we not? But this is my ground. I move first."
"Let us see how you appreciate the companionship of my hound."
A spectral hound emerges from the tip of the dagger and hurls itself at Arianwyn's throat.
"So much more obedient and destructive than your little basalt pet." She steps towards the tapestried archway and raises a hand igniting cold flames around her body.
Vel moves to where she has line of sight on Kyleth (and, unfortunately, vice versa) and fires off a ray of enfeeblement, missing. Activating her orb's far-sight ability, she then sends a pair of force bolts at the witch.
"The Raven's little reject. How pitiful." Kyleth doesn't even deign to move out of the path of Vel's attacks.
There is a howl from Whiteclaw. "It's time for you to die." she screams out and charges Kyleth!
"A dragon's pet. How truly sweet. And have you learned much from your kindred? Oh, this will be such a tale. I long for you to be worthy foes, I ache for you to show me your valour."
Although unable to avoid Whiteclaw's onslaught, Kyleth seems remarkably unconcerned by the oncoming gnoll nor her enforced re-positioning between the companions. Arms spread wide, her tone is positively seductive.
Blood trickling from his mouth, Arianwyn glares at Kyleth.
Realising that she can't stick around outside in the corridor for ever, Kia moves to I4, and opens the door. Then she encourages Whitclaw to take a whack at Kyleth.
For Rev
"Fall in the name of Kord!"
Righteous Smite Attack 1d20+8=27
Additional Damage for High Crit and Vicious 2d12=15
TRK
Urged on by Kia, Whiteclaw lands a further blow on Kyleth. The Witch Queen applauds sardonically and bows slightly in Kia's direction.
"Always so eager to be useful. Carrying such a helpful item too. You could just give it to me you know. These preliminaries are so very likely to end in your needless deaths."
Reason strides forward, awash in Ioun's clear light. That light burst forth, aiding Arianwyn and striking at the Witch Queen.
The Rogue Knight demonstrates his own brand of reckless courage as he pushes past Kyleth to attack her. Her dagger flashes down, but misses him by inches.
Reason's goddess restores vitality to Arianwyn, but Kyleth is just too strong for his prayers to have any affect.
She looks at the newcomers. "The nameless one and the book thief. How lovely of you to pay me so much attention. Did you enjoy my library, book thief?"
Insight 1d20+8=27 cold damage 1d6+5=11
Arianwyn is bolstered by Reason's healing power, "My thanks." he gasps. Looking Kyleth in the eye, the image of Tira wavers and fades, and the bride of Gruumsh stands before him. Gritting his teeth against the chill of her power, he declares, "I see your deception, witch."
Minor - Curse Kyleth. Standard -Sloth Strike vs AC - 1d20+8=17 I guess that misses... ACTION POINT! Curse of the Dark Dream 1d20+6=10
A thin rime of ice forms on Arianwyn's blade as he slashes at the sorceress with unveiled hatred. He reaches out with the power of his mind but he is distracted by his anger. With a roar of rage he vanishes from sight, and reappears next to Vel.
"Her strength is great. Far greater than any of us feared..." he says to her with ragged breaths.
"Such passion deserves a better fate warlock. Is your Tira more beautiful than me? More powerful? I think not. Your curse means nothing to me, but mine will still bite deep."
Arianwyn spits, "I see you what you are; you are too proud; But if you were a devil, you are fair. If nature did all."