"Everyone take a twig. The man with the short twig gets the honor of the sacrifice."
Dyrant continues his slow pitiful float to the plasma. Whether because Dyrant was so lost in his thoughts and prayers or because Dyrant was ignoring the portly priest, one cannot tell.
"Dyrant, wait!"
Glimmil steps forward and tugs at the old priest's robes.
"It's not supposed to end this way! This doesn't make sense!"
Glimmil glares at the mummy, giving him a long look that speaks volumes of these rules aren't fair.
"If someone has to make the sacrifice, it should be me! If there is more work for me to do, then Garl will protect me, as he always has! This isn't just some self-cudgeling ritual, this is a serious test!"
Glimmil waves off Atol's straws, leaps from Cog and steps ahead of Dyrant, grappling the weary, old preacher to the ground as necessary to prevent his sacrificing himself first.
Toffitt watches and responds a bit slowly, lost in thought though he is.
There is no loss for me here. These comrades, they are fine men. But do I love them? Could I allow myself such a thing? How often have I truly put myself at risk for them?
Finn, who at every turn seeks to throw his life away. That is not my way. My way is to gird myself. There is no danger that my studies cannot surmount. I kept the beast at bay, just as I now do for death.
Glim, who loves all that he does not smite. Innocence that spits in the face of reality. Garl has drawn a veil down around him mightier than any armor. That is not my way either. I stare at reality, and adapt to overcome it.
And Atol. Kindly Atol. He would be the true loss, but I could not bear to sacrifice him. No more than I could myself. No pretension to control or overcome. Just to serve and care for others. While I've sought to overcome all through my own will, he provides for our common good. No, not Atol.
Dyrant, who would declare himself an angel. The angels grant him magic, and our arms grant him protection. I rely on them as much as he does, but I make my own way, free of gods' compacts. If any of us fit this place, he does. But I would not trust the realm he'd make of Occipitus. The greater good with little grace for us sinners. Or maybe that's unfair. But perhaps it should be him...
But not me. No, I have come too far. The beast tamed, its strength and all of these other wonders infused in this, my body. I shall continue to see what comes of it. I should rather leave Occipitus to them than abandon this search.
So, let him fly? Toffitt ponders for a moment more, then flies to Dyrant. He puts a hand on the preacher's shoulder. A restraining hand. "I will not have you die. Not for this. Not for nothing." It's not the greatest loss. Not to me, much as I've grown to enjoy your company. It's just not the right payment.
While the other and distracted stopping Dyrant Finneas nods calmly, smiles at Atol, and jumps.
"Finn, NO!!! This is *my* god's burden! This is my chance to enter the ranks of Archons! This was for me to meet St. Cuthbert!!" Dyrant screams between spasms of effort in trying to break free Glim and Dr. Toffitt.
"Get off me!"
"Leggo Glim!"
"Doctor! Must you grab me there?"
Finneas nods at Atol and notices that the mummy lord is rather close to him. It shouts out, "He is my ally!" and gives Finneas an extra nudge towards the geyser."
Finneas ignores the scone thief and leaps into the geyser. He crumples to the ground a smoking mess. The scone thief stares at Finneas waiting for something to happen.
&
Initiative
Atol
Dyrant
Finneas
Finneas Bonus roll
Glimmil
Toffitt
Scone thief
Surprise round
Finneas = 15
Scone thief = 12
Round 1 - 1st half
Dyrant = 25
Finneas = 15
Toffitt = 14
Scone thief = 12
Round 1 - 2nd half
Atol = 7
Glimmil = 4
Round 1, Init 14
"Ah, our interloper. No allies us, you fool. Glim, we need to get Finneas out, or this cretin may rule Occipitus. Though I hope the mad archon's test is smarter than that."
Toffitt lets go of Dyrant and quickly draws his blade.
Round Surprise Init 15
Finneas snarls at the mummy as it attempts to shove him.
"Scone thief. I do this for my allies, which you are not."
With that he calmly steps into the flames.
"Round 1 Init 15
*gurgle* *sizzle* *pop*
Finneas remains in the flames and is completely consumed. His ashes cover the floor.
Round 1, Init 25
"YOU!" Dyrant's eyes narrow upon Kaurophon. Dyrant smirks as he finds an outlet for the anger he feels after the indignity that Glim and Dr. Toffitt have given to him.
Dyrant's eyes burn with all the anger and rage of a man who has just been denied the chance to make a big mistake, still fails to realize it, then add his own growing disgust.
"You have interfered with the work of the Cudgel for the last time. We're going to reduce you back a lemure."
Dyrant, already flying, flies to F5 at 15' up.
Dyrant glares at Sconethief...a look of pure disgust on his face.
How should I best destroy you?
With failure, of course.
If Kaurophon casts (spell or spell-like, i believe), Dyrant will spellcraft it and ready a spell of his own in return.
Spellcraft
As Glimmil let's go of Dyrant, he looks about the room. First, at the mummy, then at the pile of ashes.
"No! Not Finneas! Why did I try to save Dyrant, first? Why!?"
Staring down the mummy that tried to push Finneas into the fire at the very end, Glimmil gets ready to unstrap Claw-Whomper and dispatch some glittery justice.
Round 1 - 2nd half
Atol = 7
Glimmil = 4
Round 2 - 1st half
Dyrant = 25
Finneas = 15
Toffitt = 14
Scone thief = 12
With his attention split between Finneas and Kaurophon, Toffitt distracted swings bounce off the protections of the scone thief.
Dyrant flies up and readies a spell.
Kaurophon takes a 5' step back to E-9 and casts cone of cold.
Round 2 Init 15
Finneas continues his impression of "Breakfast By Stepmother".
Round 1, Interrupt
Dyrant's fire burns as the words of arcane might reach his ears, uttered by the SconeThief.
The Cudgel's fire counters his cold. The wretch is a fool to think otherwise.
vs. 11+CL
Round 1, Init 4
"Okay, mister mummy. Errr, miss mummy? You're clearly not trying to help... Cog sic 'im!"
Glimmil unstraps Claw-Whomper, as he advances forward and begins to take on the glittery radiance he is known for.
Glimmil Status:
HP: 108/111
AC: 27 (then +2 w/CoP, +2 w/BoF, +2 w/VoPE, +3 w/Smite)
CMD: 25
Active Effects:
Veil of Positive Energy: +2 sacred AC/saves vs undead (70 min)
Aura of Greater Courage: Allies nearby immune to fear (70 min)
Magic Circle vs Evil: +2 deflection AC, +2 resistance on saves (70 min)
Spells:
1) [ ] Hero's Defiance [ ] Lesser Restoration [X] Veil of Positive Energy
2) [X] Aura of Greater Courage [X] Litany of Righteousness
3) [X] Magic Circle Vs Evil
Abilities:
Smite Left: 1/4
Lay Hands Left: 2/7 (5d6, +1d6 if no mercy used)
Cavalier Challenge Left: 1/1
Cog Status:
HP 73/90
AC 29 (AC32 with Dyrant's Ward, 34 with CoP, 36 with BoF)
Round 1, Initiative 7, Location: G5
Angel HP: 39/39
Weapon Equipped = Cudgel
Conditions = none
Channel Energy Left: 1/8
Healing Touch: Atol, Finneas, Glimmil
Resistant Touch Left: 8/8
Strength Surge Left: 8/8
Bestow Resolve: 1/1
Purifying Touch: 1/1
Pearl of Power Left: first (2/2)
Cassock of the Clergy: Spark, Bless, Sanctuary (DC11)
Chainmail of Luck: Hit re-roll (1x week)(0/1)
Spells Remaining:
0) Create Water, Guidance, Light, Purify Food & Drink, Stabilize -- Arcane Mark, Detect Magic, Read Magic
1) Bless, Command, Obscuring Mist, Protection from Evil
2) Restoration(lesser)
3) Create Food and Water, Daylight, Dispel Magic, Invisibility Purge
4) Spell Immunity
5) Righteous Might, Summon Monster V
Atol watches Finneas burn in the evil flame and gets lost in the dancing light for a moment. He shakes it off however and turns to the Mummy who pushed him in.
"I do not believe that was part of the test. What exactly are you doing here?"
Atol begins a full round cast (Summon Monster V).
Dryant draws on all his faith and reserves to counter Kaurophon, but the abyss and the nexus below also rally their strength to bolster the scone thief. It catches the entire party (except Finneas's ashes).
DC 21 REF for half
When Glimmil and Cog finishes smiting the scone thief (just speculating here), Finneas's ashes swirl up from the ground and into the plasma. They mix with plasmas like ash and water and a muddy form quickly takes shape. Then suddenly, Finneas is spit out of the plasma to the spot from which he entered. He looks unchanged except for his left eye which has been replaced by a red flame.
Round 1 - 2nd half
Atol = 7
Glimmil = 4
Round 2 - 1st half
Finneas = 15
Toffitt = 14
Dyrant = 13
Scone thief = 12
Smoking Eye Template
The left eye is replaced with a magical flame that gives off no heat and does not burn the surrounding flesh. When the eye is open, it provides illumination as a candle. The base creature’s vision is unaffected—he or she can still see through the transformed eye normally. The eye also gives off wisps of bitter smoke. The smoke doesn’t obscure vision, but it does give a +10 bonus to creatures trying to track the creature by scent.
Attacks: The base creature gains a +1 insight bonus on all attacks as the power of Occipitus subtly guides his blows.
Spellcasting: The base creature’s effective caster level for spells and spell-like abilities goes up by +1.
Imbued with evil: Regardless of the base creature’s actual alignment, spells and spell-like abilities with the evil descriptor treat the base creature as if his or her alignment were evil. Spells and spell-like abilities with the good descriptor treat the base creature as if his or her alignment were good. Magic items are similarly fooled. An unholy blight spell, for example, won’t damage the base creature.
Saves: The base creature gains a +1 insight bonus on all saving throws.
Other: To be revealed and/or discovered. There’s no manual.
Atol begins a full round cast (Summon Monster V).
Yes, yes it does. Atol instead uses his last Channel Energy to heal the party - excepting the Mummy of course. :)
Round 2, Init 14
Toffitt moved to the other side of Kaurophon and attempts to push him into the flames.
"Erm, he's my ally too."
Toffitt pushes Kaurophon into the flames. He remains standing.
Round 2 Init 15
"I LIVE. YOU...DIE!"
Female: What just happened?
Male: We're...alive?
Fifth: This is not good.
No, this is KORD'S WILL!
Finneas draws his sword with his newly remade hand and steps up to finish the scone thief for good.
Round 2, Init 13
Dyrant recoils first from his failure then again from the cold fingers that blast his bones.
Reflex Dyrant
Reflex Aralynn (half damage, imp evade)
Though daunted by yet another failure, Dyrant flies higher (20' up) and readies again.
Spellcraft
I cannot fail again.
Aralynn casts CLW on Dyrant, and floats 20' above Atol.
healing
As Kaurophon burns in the plasma, Finneas lops his head off. Even in the few moments it takes to drop to the ground, the flesh is burned from it. All that remains of Kaurophon is demon skull with sharp teeth.
"A fitting end for the Thief of Scones."
Finneas turns to face his friends.
Atol looks at Finneas' new eye and is in a little bit of shock at the whole scene.
"Finneas, are you OK?"
Are you the ruler of the plane now?
The other voice begins laughing. At first it's nothing new. The same maniacle laughter Finneas has endured for many months. But this time it continues, interspersed with shouts of You! loud enough Finnneas is sure the rest of the party must hear him. The seconds turn to minutes and a few more words squeeze in amongst the chuckles and howling. Heir! Muahahahaha Ruler! HAHAHA!Successor!
The laughter eventually fades away and there is silence in Finneas's head except for the echoes of those words.
Finneas grimaces, his left eye squinting shut as if he were in pain.
"I'm fine Atol, why?"
Female: I don't think you're fine at all!
Male: It is very crowded in here now.
Fifth: I'd have to agree.
None of you get a vote, you can leave whenever you want. If you're going to stay at least try to figure out what's going on. Why did I come back?
Fifth: Perhaps that was the test?
So I'm not free of you at all.
Fifth: You asked for this.
I don't think that's true.
"Finneas, you're eye. Well, your left eye is no longer the same."
Atol, ever practical, takes his pack off again and fishes around it for a moment. The then stands and turns to Finneas, holding out a small mirror. It's steel, so it's not a great reflection of reality, but it should still clearly show a flame rather than an eyeball of gristle.
"See?"
Dyrant is too stricken by Finneash's new face to huzzah heartily even when the Sconethief earns his just dessert.
Floating down to the ground and resisting the temptation to kick the skull into the fire, he instead tries to get a good gander at Finn's new visage.
"That was foolish you oaf! That burden wasn't meant for you! Now let me see your eye. Hold still. Let me look."
Dyrant casts Detect Magic and ganders at the smoking socket.
"Not sure I can fix this."
Dyrant grimaces as he looks at the abomination...then again at the eye socket.
Dyrant turns from Finn, still in thought.
Know (Arcana)
Know (Planes)
Know (Religion)
"My eye is fine, nothing is wrong with it. I can see out of it, what could be wrong with it?"
Finneas stands still while the others fuss like mother hens.
Burden. Dying for your friends isn't a burden, it's an honor.
Fifth: That is a dangerous thought.
Male: Suicidal too.
"It was not your test to complete, Dyrant. If it were, your angel wings might have spurred you on more quickly. Finneas was indeed born to self sacrifice, and shall lead the way towards such. You and I, we are called elsewhere." Toffitt examines the surroundings and returns to examine the lich's chambers for treasure. He is then ready to leave. There are many lessons upon which to reflect. Mastery is within reach.
Dyrant gives a snort, almost not willing to give the Doctor a verbal response the silliness he just shat.
"You do not know or understand the Archons, Doctor. What's done is done, and another failure upon my tally with the Cudgel."
Finn has denied me my rightful chance to show my sacrifice to the Archons. I have failed. Again.
Dyrant gives a look to Aralynn, hopeful that the Archon incarnate feels differently, but knowing the truth in his heart.
You delayed. You failed. You are a failure.
Dyrant breathes deeply and casts Detect Magic, trying to find something...anything to salvage this failure.
Dyrant sifts through the ashes and finds a few items. A headband of charisma (+2), a bag of holding II, and a lesser amulet of the planes.
Dyrant examines the items and snuffs heartily.
He offers the headband to any who might want it.
He offers the bag to Dr. Toffitt.
The amulet, he haversacks.
The rest might lose it. The Angelrelic is mine.
For now.
Toffitt takes the haversack and then holds it out to Finneas. "No doubt you'll need this for the dragon hide. Shall we go back out and fetch it?" He descends and searches the lich's corpse, then begins to take stock of found treasure.
Glimmil leaps at the scone-thief, only to find ashes remain.
Blinking, Glimmil rubs his eyes, gazes to the ashes again, then to Finneas, then to ashes, then to Finneas.
"Wow! That was amazing!"
Glimmil finally pushes his jaw back up, straps Claw-Whomper to his belt, and circles Finneas, studying him.
"I think you look stronger. Definitely scarier. But you're alive. Right? This isn't a trick?"
Glimmil's eyes narrow as he studies Finneas for some kind of trick, like that of a scone-thief pretending to be a satay-muncher just to make him more difficult to defeat.
"Maybe I should check to make sure this is really Finneas? You know, not a do-badder pretending to be him?"
"Yes Doctor, that would be great. Save my back. You can check if you like Glimmil, but I'm still me. I can't imagine why I came back, I thought the mummy said sacrificing myself would give you all the power, but if the mummy was really Sconethief then I guess that's why it didn't work."
Finneas detects as evil, just the faintest amount, but there like a taint.